Leonard R. Christiansen

Leonard R. Christiansen, 94, of Sumner, Iowa, formerly of Mason City, died Monday, December 15, 2008 in Sumner. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue with Pastor Kathy Graves officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Friday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue and continue at the church one hour before the service. Memorials may be given to the Leonard Christiansen Memorial Fund. Leonard was born September 11, 1914 in rural Nora Springs, Iowa the son of John and Carolina (Wolhert) Christiansen. He graduated from Rock Falls High School. Leonard married Jessie E. Deets June 28, 1937 in Nora Springs. That same year, they moved to Ventura, Iowa where Leonard was engaged in farming for many years. He retired in 1977 and he and Jessie moved to Mason City. Leonard lived in Kentucky Ridge Assisted Living here in Mason City then moved to Sumner, Iowa where he resided in the Hillcrest Home. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Rock Falls Senior Citizens Center. His interests focused around his farming which included his crops, livestock and some 4000 laying hens.

Leonard is survived by his son, Leonard R. (Joan) Christiansen of Mobile, Alabama; daughter, Laurie L. (Gary) Stauffer of Sumner; brother, Clarence (Evelyn) Christiansen of Mason City; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Jessie; daughter, Myrna and 4 sisters.