Charles W. Christiansen
February 18, 1931 – July 23, 2019
Charles W. Christiansen was born on February 18, 1931 in Beloit, Wisconsin, son of Arthur and Pauline Christiansen (both deceased). He was the middle child having two brothers, Herbert and Clayton (both deceased).
Chuck was baptized in the First Methodist Church, Beloit, WI in April 1931. He spent his childhood and youth on dairy farms in southern Wisconsin. Upon graduation in 1947, he enrolled at Rockford School of Business, Rockford, IL; graduating in 1950 with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. He married Pauline F. Zimmerman on November 1, 1952 at St. John Lutheran Church, Beloit, WI where he had become a member by adult confirmation on August 31, 1952.
Chuck’s working career began May 21, 1950 at National Lock Company in Rockford, IL. He was with the company for 35 years. He was the regional sales manager in Chattanooga, TN, General Manager in Waverly, TN and General Manager in Rockford, IL, Sheboygan, WI and Crawfordsville, IN.
Charles took early retirement in April 1984. However in July 1985 he accepted a position as General Manager of Towle Manufacturing headquartered in Boston, MA. In July 1987 he agreed to a new avocation, a consulting position for Los Angeles Lutheran High School in southern California, and other Lutheran High Schools in San Diego, Simi Valley and Laverne, and Northrop, MN.
Over the years of his marriage, he and Pauline moved 26 times, lived in 8 states, and been members of 16 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 66 years, Pauline, 4 children, daughter Kandy Johnson (Dennis), Knightdale, NC; son Rev. Keith Christiansen (Shirley), Bluefield, WV; daughter Kathy Hudspith (Al), Auburn, AL; daughter-in-law Debbie Christiansen (son Kenny deceased), Knoxville, TN; and son Kurt, Knightdale, NC. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren (one deceased) and 19 great-grandchildren.
Chuck served in every elected office and board position in his local congregations. He was Chairman of the Rocky Top Mission Counsel. He served in the LCMS Mid-South District on the Board of Directors, Mission Board, and Human Care Board, and the Board of Stewardship and Constitution Committee in Northern Illinois District.
Other activities Chuck was involved with include:
- Volunteer Business Counselor for the International Executive Service Corps, under the auspices of the United States Aid for International Development, with assignments in Skopje, Macedonia, Uralsk, Ust Kamenogorsk, and Atyrau, Kazakhstan, and Dushanbe and Khojund, Tajikistan.
- Counselor for SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) for 15 years.
- Tennessee Volunteer football, concerts and theater. Chuck was an avid reader of history, biographies, and religious books and publications.
Funeral Service will be held Thursday, August 1st, 10 am, Strickland Funeral Home Chapel with visitation prior to the service. Burial to follow, Greenmount Cemetery, Wendell.
Arrangements are with Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, 211 W. Third St., Wendell.
www.striclandfuneral.com
12 Comments
Mr. Chuck was a very wise man with a Beautiful spirit. It was a pleasure meeting him and gaining so much knowledge from him. Sending my condolences to the family
My sincere condolences to the family of Mr Chuck. I count it an honor and a privilege to have had the opportunity to meet and speak with Mr Chuck 3 months ago. He was a man full of knowledge and wisdom and he loved sharing what he had with others. I would like to thank his son’s for driving him to Southern Pines North Carolina to meet with each one of us to counsel us about our business plans. Family you will continually be in my prayers.
Mr.Chuck Touched my life in a way that left a perminant impression. He removed a major barrier in my life that enabled me to believe that my dream could come true and will…He gave my dream breathe and put wind beneath my wings. I am and will be forever Grateful…Mr.Chuck gave me The Best gift ever, a key that unlocked my mind, as well as access to freedom…such a man of wisdom and exemplified compassion. My Condolences to the family .Mr. Chuck you will be forever appreciated and missed.
My condolence to the family. I was privileged to meet Mr Chuck through E.S.B.O.P where he was my business plan mentor. I enjoyed listening to his stories about his career and family. The last thing he told me was not to focus on being laid off and looking for work. Instead become my own boss, and help other people reach their dreams. I thank God that I was blessed to meet a man with so much wisdom, love and compassion for others. He will truly be missed.
To the family of Mr. Christiansen, I’m truly sorry for your loss! Thank you Mr. Chuck for the insights on starting my business! I’m sure you’re up there calculating all the angels and counting those of us you want to watch over!
My heart to the Christiansen family. May all he loved and all who loved him find comfort in their memories of their time with him. I met Chuck earlier this year when he consulted with an entrepreneurship education program in Southern Pines, NC and Statesville, NC. I was very excited to meet such a resourceful, intelligent, and caring man. Our participants spoke of how Chuck eased their anxieties about developing their business plans and how they were so very thankful to have his coaching and mentoring. He was an inspiration to us all.
Please accept our deepest sympathy! Chuck was a wonderful, supporting man for the ministry and was a great listening ear to me while serving as DCE at Christus Victor in Knoxville. He also sent some of the most amazing emails with pictures that were sometimes unbelievably beautiful from all over the world with all kinds of subject matter. Earl and I will miss him even though we have been away from East TN for 10 years.
My family grew up with the Christiannsens and Chuck became like a father figure after our dad died. He was my daughter’s god-father. Bobby & I will miss him greatly. Gods blessing to Pauline and the rest of the family.
Sorry to hear of CHUCKS PASSING He was a excellent human and I am proud to have met him
I had a few tears in my eyes when I learned of Chuck’s passing – a man it was my privilege to know, learn from and serve with – imagining Chuck‘s joy as his Savior welcomes him to his eternal home : “Well done! Good and faithful servant!”. I pray for God’s peace and comfort for his extraordinary wife and partner Pauline, his family and friends who are – for a little while – left behind. Thank you Lord for letting our paths cross – giving me a standard to strive to meet
Our prayers are with Pauline and family in their loss. Chuck was an extraordinary contributor to the community in many ways but my experience with Chuck was in SCORE serving the small business community. His patience, empathy and business skill provided knowledge and growth for both his clients and co-volunteers, An example for all to follow. He will be missed greatly.
Just heard that Mr. Christiansen died this year. I am sad because he was a great business mentor to me through SCORE and walked me through starting a business from the ground up. Because of him I can say I am still in business today because I got the right foundation. Rest in Peace Chuck. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me and for all the encouragement and support you selflessly provided to me while you were here on earth. God’s Best to your wife and family.
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