Terry Christianson

Terry Lynn Christianson, age 61, of Anchorage, Alaska passed away on Thursday January 11th at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 20th at 2:00 PM at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston, MN with Rev. Paul Magelssen officiating. Interment will be at Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Fosston , and the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston is in charge of the arrangements.Terry Lynn Christianson was born on June 25, 1945 in Larimore, North Dakota to parents Orian and Ila (Svedberg) Christianson. Terry attended school through the 12th grade and is a graduate of Fosston High School, class of 1964. He went to Alaska at a young age to assist in the cleanup and rebuilding of Anchorage after the great Alaskan earthquake. Terry then served our country in the United States Army, 3rd Squadron 11th Armor Division. He is a Vietnam Veteran and was honorably discharged in 1967, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. He received word of the birth of his first child while serving in a tank in Vietnam from the Salvation Army.Shortly after returning from war Terry returned permanently to Alaska with his family. There he pursued work in construction and truck driving. It didn't take long for Terry to fall in love with Alaska and make it home. He built a successful business and took part in constructing many of the buildings and roads in Anchorage and surrounding Alaskan areas. Terry worked on the Alaskan pipeline delivering many vital items for the successful completion of this project. He also was called to assist in the cleanup of the Valdez oil spill.Terry enjoyed piloting ultralight aircrafts through the Alaskan wilderness. His first love was his work and he took great pride in playing such an important role in the construction and development of the "Last Frontier".Terry has two children; Terry Christianson Jr. of Bradenton, Florida and Ila Christianson Champine of Anchorage, Alaska.Terry passed away on Thursday January 11, 2007 at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Terry was age 61 years, 6 months and 17 days.He is survived by his step mother Doris Christianson; his children Terry Christianson Jr. and Ila Christianson Champine; his siblings Tom Grandbois, Marcia Dearman, Charlotte Olson, Dan Grandbois, Kathleen Drellack, Ivy Burggraf, Gemma Scott, Theresa Ihrke, Mike Grandbois, and Debbie Bailuff; his grandchildren Stevie Christianson, Tanner Christianson and Jacob Champine and much extended family to include many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.He was preceded in death by his grandparents Alfred and Effie Svedberg; his parents Orian and Ila Christianson; his sister Susan Haugen, and his nephew Jeremy Ihrke.