Arthur William Christiansen, 97, formerly of Freeborn, died peacefully Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the St. John’s chapel and will be followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. The Rev. Donald Malinsky will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by the Freeborn American Legion post. Interment will be at Freeborn Cemetery. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Art was born June 15, 1921, in rural Manchester to George and Martha (Stoddart) Christiansen. He graduated from Freeborn High School in 1939. Art then continued his education at Milwaukee School of Engineering. He enlisted in the Army, where he served from 1942 to 1946. He was in the 11th Armor Division of the 3rd Army under Gen. George Patton in Europe during World War II.

Art was united in marriage to Edith O’Brien on April 14, 1946, in Santa Barbara, California. He retired from the Freeborn County Highway Department as shop foreman.

He was a member of the Freeborn American Legion for 72 years and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He retired from the Freeborn Fire Department as assistant fire chief. Art had a good sense of humor and enjoyed sharing it with everyone. He loved his family and playing cards with them and others. His favorite teams were the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He liked wood working, fishing and gardening.

Art is survived by two daughters, Linda Crofton and Betty (Tom) Sime of Albert Lea; six grandchildren, Tonya (Michael) Reineke of Inver Grove Heights, Lynette (Tony) Hartmann of Largo, Florida, Tammy Sime of Albert Lea, Dawn (Theo) Beckmann of Freeborn, Brent (Katherine) Crofton of Fort Drum, New York, and Rachel Amundson of Austin; 13 great-grandchildren, Stephen and Christopher Reineke, Kristina and Jacquelyn Hartmann, Katherine and Crystal Sime, Aidan, Jade and Morgan Beckmann, Owen and Edith Crofton, and Matthew, Christian and Keegan Amundson; sisters Leona Schwartz of Northfield and Elvira Young of New Richland; and sisters-in-law Betty Loyd of Hemet, California, and Arlene Christiansen of St. Paul.

Art was preceded in death by his wife, Edith; parents George and Martha Christiansen; in-laws George and Elizabeth O’Brien; siblings Edith (Elmer) Lee, Marvin (Lois) Christiansen and Lyle Christiansen; brothers-in-law Elmer Young, Elmer Schwartz and Eugene Loyd; niece, Sharon Morriem; and nephew, Larry Loyd.

Memorials are preferred to Freeborn Fire and Ambulance, Gilmore Stensrud American Legion of Freeborn or Freeborn Cemetery.