Carl Edward Christianson

Carl Edward Christianson was born August 21, 1939, at the Spencer Hospital in Lusk to Anna (Schwartz) and Raymond Christianson. He joined brother Leroy at home. His early years were spent in the Red Bird area on the family ranch.

Carl passed away on February 20, 2022 at the Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. A funeral service was held on February 24, 2022, at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds auditorium in Lusk with Pastor Ty DesEnfants of the Prairie Hills Church in Lusk officiating. Interment followed in the Lusk Cemetery.

He attended Fairview School through the eighth grade. At that time the family relocated to the Huntley area. Carl attended Huntley High School graduating in 1958. While in high school Carl played basketball and was an active member of FFA. Following graduation Carl attended Goshen County Community College now Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington and worked at the sugar beet factory during campaign.

Carl joined the Army National Guard in 1961 honorably serving his country.

In 1960 Carl returned to Lusk working for DC Drilling. He spent the next 15 years drilling water wells all over Niobrara County. Carl drilled many of the original irrigation wells in the county.

In 1974 he became the contract pumper for Ant Hills Production. Carl continued pumping the oil wells until 2009 when he retired.

Carl was united in marriage to Cheryll Rennard on June 8, 1968 at the Baptist Church in Lusk. Although they had no children of their own he considered his great nieces and great nephews his own children and attended many of their activities.

After retiring in 2009 Carl and Cheryll traveled extensively in their motor home. Carl was proud to say he had visited 47 of the 50 states. His goal was to visit all 50 states. Winters were in Eloy, Arizona, where many friends were made.

Carl was a passionate license plate collector, he enjoyed trading with other collectors and attending license plate meets. He always had a garden in the summer and shared his garden produce with others. Carl enjoyed exhibiting his fruits and vegetables at the county fair. Another hobby Carl enjoyed was trap shooting. He was a charter member of the Niobrara Gun Club. Carl was an avid reader of western books, author Louis L’Amour being one of his favorites.

Carl was preceded in death by his mother Anna, father Raymond, step mother Mary and sister-in-law Melva.

Carl is survived by his wife of 52 years Cheryll, brother Leroy, sister-in-law Carol Sutherland, brother-in-law Stanley Rennard, nieces Valerie (Tom) Wasserburger, Lori Milke, Jennifer (Boe) Kottwitz, nephews Kelley (Stacy) Christianson, Curtiss (Tina) Christianson. Great nieces, Ann (Ben) Bonsell, Jasmine Christianson, Emilie (Josh) Eaton, Amber Christianson, Ashley Christianson, Abby Kottwitz, Peyton Kottwitz, great nephews Alex (Cami) Wasserburger, Jacob Wasserburger, Craig (Brittany) Christianson, Kevin Christianson, Ben Milke, Matt Milke, Aaron Chritianson and nine great great nieces and nephews. Special cousins Larry and Pat Seegrist and Toni and Phil Hayes. His extended family included Brett, Matt, and Shayley Dockery and their children. Many close friends who he considered family and numerous others he met while traveling.

In lieu of flowers memorials to Prairie Hills Church Building Fund, Niobrara County Fairgrounds Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Pier Funeral Home in Lusk was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

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