Gary A. Christianson

Gary Allan Christianson, 84, of Langdon, ND, passed peacefully at his home on Friday, September 3, 2021. He was a lifelong resident of Cavalier County. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. the Vang Cemetery, rural Langdon, ND. Please bring your lawn chairs for the graveside service. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 7th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Brooks Funeral Home, Langdon, ND.

Gary was born January 9, 1937, at Vang, ND, to Oscar and Ina (Rossenberg) Christianson. He attended school in Vang. He married Shirley Ritter of Sarles, ND, on January 19, 1960. They made their home in Vang and began farming, raising cattle, and custom combining with his son until his retirement in 2004. Gary served in the Army National Guard in the 957th Engineer Company (Float Bridge Platoon) from 1960 to 1966, when he was honorably discharged. He served on the Hope Township Board for numerous years, belonged to the Eagles Aerie #3454, and was a member of the Farmers Union and the United Methodist Church in Langdon.

As a young man he was an avid hunter and trapper with his uncle, Lester. He loved fishing with his family and friends in Canada most summers. He always looked forward to getting together with friends for breakfast. Gary also enjoyed the outdoors, getting together with his family at holidays and special occasions. He was all smiles when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were around him. He loved his family. Gary always had a joke or a story to tell; he was the family comedian.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of 61 years; children: Von (Vernetta) Christianson, Langdon, ND and Lana (Paul) Balsdon, Osnabrock, ND; grandchildren: Kody (Jennalee) Christianson, Kale (Tasha) Christianson, Kamry Christianson, Jayme (Jonathan) Jonasson, Ramsey (Brittney) Balsdon; and great-grandchildren: Lilee, Pyper, Rylee, Leni, Rowyn, Lincoln, Jensen, and Roddy. Also surviving are his brother, Gene Christianson; brother-in-law Doug (Linda) Ritter; sister-in-law Barb (Francis) Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, mother and father-in-law Gertrude and Howard Ritter, brother-in-law in infancy John Ritter, brothers and sister-in-law, Daniel and Izetta Ritter and Dale Ritter.