Carl E. Christianson

Carl Edward Christianson was born on August 21, 1939, at the Spencer Hospital in Lusk, Wyoming, 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, Wyoming 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 motorhome.   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, Cheryl; 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 Christianson; and 9 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.

 

Funeral Service

Niobrara Fairgrounds Auditorium

Thursday, February 24, 2022 10:00 AM 4080 US Hwy 20
Lusk, WY 82225 Directions  

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