Ardean Christiansen

Ardean Christiansen, 75, of Long Prairie died Sunday, February 7, 2016, after a 6 year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am February 16, 2016 at Peace United Church, Long Prairie. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church.
Ardean F. Christiansen was born August 27, 1940, in Long Prairie to Frederick and Ethel (Erickson) Christiansen.
Ardean grew up on the family farm, attended country school in Gutches Grove and graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1958. He was inducted into the U.S. Army in April 1960. While in the army, Ardean served in Korea and was discharged May 7, 1962. On May 22, 1965, he married Patricia McClintick at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Long Prairie. They purchased the family farm where they began their family, raising five children: Connie, Carrie, Colleen, Curtis, and Craig.
In his 30 year farming career he raised dairy and beef cattle and sold seed corn. He loved a good crop of corn and his John Deere machinery. After retiring from farming he drove school bus for Long Prairie for many years. He also obtained his commercial driver’s license and drove semi over-the-road until his health forced him to retire.
Ardean had a wonderful network of family and friends. He loved his old time music, dancing, playing games and cards, traveling, telling a good joke, and having a good time. He also loved history; particularly Thomas Jefferson and on his last trip he got to visit Jefferson’s home, Monticello.
Ardean is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Patricia, and their children: Craig and Connie (Christiansen) Dullum of Minnetonka, MN; Marc and Carrie (Christiansen) Fowler of Grand Rapids, MN; Michael and Colleen (Christiansen) Lommen of Carlos, MN; Curtis and Johnelle (Becker) Christiansen of Long Prairie; and Craig and Kayla (Volkman) Christiansen of Long Prairie. 11 grandchildren: Corey Johnson, Audrey Dullum, Megan, Austin, and Emma Fowler, Sam, Hannah, Sarah, Alex, Bailey, and Amber Christiansen. Sisters: Helen (Christiansen) and Thomas Differt of Long Prairie and Louella (Christiansen) and Edgar Smith of Moorhead, MN. Mother-in-law, Leona Cuchna, brother-in-law, Stan Tyrrell, sister-in-law, Janice Tyrrell, brother-in-law, John McClintick, and many neices and nephews.
Ardean was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Stanley McClintick.