Dale R. Christiansen

Beloved husband and father, Dale Richard Christiansen, 92, of Dannebrog, passed from this world peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Dannebrog Fire Hall. Rev. Bob Carlsen will officiate. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy Funeral Honors Team.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Dale was born Dec. 13, 1930, in Queen of The Angels hospital, in Los Angeles, California, to Ejner and Arta (Pedersen) Christiansen. The family later moved to Junction City, Oregon, to be with other Danish family members. Dale graduated from Junction City High School in 1948. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving in the Pacific during the Korean Conflict from 1948 to 1952. After serving in the Navy, he attended Oregon State College earning a degree in forestry management. 

On Dec. 20, 1953, he married June Steele. Together they had three children. Dale returned to school earning a Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in tourism and marketing. He served as Director, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and as an associate professor at California State Polytechnic University. He enjoyed trips overseas including teaching in Hong Kong and Venezuela. His family have wonderful memories of going on climbing expeditions including a special climb of the mountaineer’s route of Mount Whitney. Dale participated in over 50 mountain climbs on the west coast.

Dale married Laurel (Berg) Clairmont on June 22, 2004, in Brewster, Nebraska. They made their home in Dannebrog.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Ejner and Arta Christiansen, his first wife, June; his son, Karl E. Christiansen; and his sister, Lois Kamdar.

He is survived by his wife, Laurel of Dannebrog; his son, Hans and Sandy Christiansen of Dannebrog; and his daughter, Snow and Dave Willis of Mission, TX; as well as, 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.