Howard LeRoy Christianson, age 78, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2009 at Odyssey Hospice House in Mesa, Arizona.

Howard was born on the family farm near Halstad, Minnesota, on December 17, 1930, the youngest son of Marcus and Betsy (Grande) Christianson. He attended Sunrise country school near his home and later Halstad Public School through the eighth grade, at which time, he decided to farm. He worked on the farm for his father and brother, Roy, until the age of 21, when he was stricken with polio. He received treatment at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Hospital in Minneapolis. Realizing that he may not be able to continue his dream of farming after losing the ability to walk, Howard finished his high school requirements. He then decided to enroll in Valpraiso Institute of Technology in Valpraiso, Indiana to study television engineering. Prior to leaving for college, Howard stopped to buy his paper and pencil supplies at a store in Ada, Minnesota, where he met his bride-to-be. Upon gradation, he turned down a recommendation to teach electronics at another technical institute in order to return home, determined to once again accomplish his dream of farming. On June 26, 1957, Howard was united in marriage to Mary Moe (Halvor and Esther Moe) in Moorhead, Minnesota. Together, they raised their four children: Thomas, Mark, Jill, and Beth.

He supplemented his farming income by doing television and radio repair, in addition to road construction. Also, while continuing to farm, Howard began working for Norman County as the county assessor, a position he held for 29 years. During that time, he served on regional, state, and International boards of assessing officers. Howard also worked as a taxation consultation, giving testimony to legislative sessions. Always, he remained involved in farming, designing his own assistive devices in order to operate equipment. He continued to help his son, brother, nephews, and son-in-law with field work long past his own retirement from farming.

His family, both immediate and extended, was always very important to Howard. He regularly offered assistance to his elderly aunts and uncles, as well as neighbors and friends who could use a hand. He enjoyed travels and he and his wife have been wintering in Mesa, Arizona for the last 15 years. Mostly, he enjoyed toy tractors: collecting, designing, building, and studying them. Howard was a man of strong faith, yet was quiet and humble about such things. He was a man of loyalty, honesty, and integrity and expected as much from his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Mary of Halstad; his son, Tom (Diane) of Princeton, Illinois; two daughters, Jill (Jon) Carlson of Climax, Minnesota, and Beth (Doug) Christianson-Melby of Hillsboro, North Dakota; four grandchildren: Erika and Justin Christianson of Princeton and Evan and Claire Carlson of Climax. Howard is also survived by several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Wilma (Clayton) Ambuehl of Moorhead, MN, Harold (Sharon) Moe of Monticello, MN, Sherman (Evelyn) Moe of Bella Vista, AR, VelDonna (Darrell) Leiser of Fertile, MN, Carolyn (Stanley) Rasmussen of Lake Park, MN, Dorothy Christianson of Halstad, Phyllis Christianson of Shelly, MN, and Donna Christianson of Fairmont, MN; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Howard was preceded in death his son, Mark, both of his parents, three brothers: Roy, Donald "Buddy," and Marvin, and his sister, Beatrice Trom.

Funeral Services were held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at Halstad Lutheran Church in Halstad. Interment was at Halstad Cemetery, South.