Dale Everett Christiansen

Dale Everett Christiansen, the son of Chris E. and Gertrude (Nelson) Christiansen, was born June 11, 1928, at his parents’ farm home near Ringsted, Iowa and died September 22, 2019, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 91 years, 3 months, and 11 days.
Dale was baptized and confirmed at the Presbyterian Church in Ringsted. He attended the Ringsted Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1946. Dale helped operate the family farm until 1950 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his tour of duty he served aboard the U.S.S. Helena which was stationed near Japan during the Korean War. Dale was honorably discharged in 1954 and returned home to farm with his brother Cecil. In 1956 Dale enrolled at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa where he majored in Agri-business and Marketing.
On June 16, 1958, he was united in marriage to Betty Ann Dominy at St. Patrick’ Catholic Church in Estherville, Iowa. Over the years they were blessed with five children Connie, Paul, John, Cathy, and Carol. They lived in Ames while Dale completed his B.S. in 1960. They moved to Mount Vernon, Iowa where Dale was employed as a salesman for McMillan Feed Mills. He was transferred to Storm Lake, Iowa and worked there for several years. Dale purchased his own business, Farmer’s Feed and Supply in Long Grove, Iowa which he operated for several years then sold the business in 1968 to move to Audubon, Iowa where he purchased Operman Mills and Supply. Dale renamed the business Feeders Supply. The family lived in Audubon until 1975 when Dale bought a small farm northwest of Audubon. Along with operating his business he also raised hogs, cattle, and sheep. In 1996 he sold the business and semi-retired. Dale worked for Garst Seed Corn, sorting corn during the fall harvest for several years and continued to raise livestock until 2014. They sold the farm in 2017 and moved into Audubon later settling into the Friendship Home in early 2018.
Dale was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon, Iowa. In the early years, he served as a lector and took communion to members who were unable to leave their homes. He was elected to the Board of the Nishna Valley REC serving from 2007 through 2017. Dale was a member of Audubon Post #120, American Legion. He loved watching college sports and was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan. He always liked the water and enjoyed many hours boating. Dale enjoyed gardening and raising Holstein calves. He was active in 4-H for many years helping his children showing their livestock at the Audubon County Fair. He enjoyed reading the paper and listening to the Market Reports. Dale was a master storyteller and spent many hours conversing with friends and family. But what was most important to him was being with his family.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother and sisters: Evelyn and husband Joe Oaks, Cecil and wife Kaye Christiansen, and Lillian and husband Gayle Anderson; hid brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Russell and wife Mildred Dominy, Leona and husband Eugene McCarville, Raymond and Peg Dominy, Jeanne Marie Dominy, and Donald and wife Shirley Dominy.
Survivors include: his wife Betty Christiansen of Audubon, Iowa; his children: Connie and husband Kelly Simpson of Oakland, Iowa; Paul and wife Debbie Christiansen of Huntsville, Alabama; John M. Christiansen of Katy, Texas; Cathy McGrail of Washington, D.C.; and Carol and husband Steve Jennings of Omaha, Nebraska; his grandchildren: Steven Christiansen and fiancé Mistie Metten both of Des Moines, Iowa; Michael and wife Katie Christiansen of Polk City, Iowa; Nathan Jennings of Omaha, Nebraska; and Benjamin A. Christiansen of Katy, Texas; his great grandchildren Ruby Jo and Ryder Michael Christiansen both of Polk City, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, there will be a Rosary at 4:00 p.m. followed by a visitation at 5:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. The Mass of the Christian Burial will be conducted by Father David Nkrumah on Wednesday afternoon, September 25, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery south of Audubon. The casket bearers will be Steven Christiansen, Nathan Jennings, Michael Christiansen, Garry Anderson, Bruce Dentlinger, and Marlon Anderson.