Hoffmann-Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Cremation Service
John K. Christiansen, 88, of Dubuque, died peacefully Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at the MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center.
A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Community Church in Ames, IA, Sunday, November 20, 2022, beginning at 3:00 pm.
John was born September 14, 1934, in Lohrville, IA, to Lyle Eugene and Christine Knudsen Christiansen. He attended the Lohrville school system and graduated from Lohrville High School in 1953. John continued his education at Morningside College in Sioux City, IA, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Music with minors in Business and History in 1957. After graduation, John taught kindergarten through high school music until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1959 and stationed in South Korea. Upon returning home, he began his career in banking, first working as a State of Iowa Bank Examiner followed by joining the FDIC as a Bank Liquidator. In his travels as a bank liquidator he passed through the Detroit airport where he met Donna Brace. They we married January 2, 1971, in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. As their family grew, John chose to leave the FDIC to pursue a career in franchise ownership with Casey's General Stores. They settled outside Ames, IA, where they lived for the next 40+ years.
John was gentle, kind, loving, and generous. He loved his family above anything else. He was a talented musician and loved singing baritone with the Amestones Barbershop Chorus for many years. John loved a good joke. And also a bad one. He enjoyed couples Bible study with Donna, as well as supported and helped her in hosting a weekly women's Bible study for over 20 years. In the summers he meticulously tended his vegetable garden and micromanaged his kids mowing of the yard. He attended all his children's music and sporting events from elementary through high school. He was an amazing husband, father, family leader, and friend.
John is survived by his wife, Donna Christiansen of Dubuque; their three children Christine (Michael) Shimkus of Dubuque, Susan (Quenten) Jones of Jay, VT, and Jonathan Christiansen of Pleasant Hill, IA; three grandchildren, Anwyn Jones, Eleana Shimkus, and Winston Shimkus; sister-in-law, Sandra Jaques; nephews and nieces, Dell (Joan) Dooley, Debra Christiansen, Doug (Ginny D'Angelo) Dooley, Gayle Jaques, and Katherine (Philip) Klump.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara (Don) Dooley; and granddaughter, Norah Christine Jones.
Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting John's obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.
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