August 6, 1928 – July 15, 2021
Joan Elizabeth Christiansen passed into heaven, Thursday, July 15, 2021.
Joan was born August 6, 1928, to Willard and Martha (Dixon) Gilbert, in Buffalo, MN.
She was united in marriage to Donald Christiansen on April 1, 1950. They were blessed with two children, Curtis and Jody.
Joan graduated from Buffalo High School and received her degree in education from St. Cloud State University. She taught first grade at The Buffalo Elementary School. “MRS. C” loved her first graders! Joan taught forty-plus years….teaching first grade and tutoring.
Don and Joan owned Wright County Ambulance for 20 years.
Joan is survived by a daughter: Jody (Tom) Peterson; daughter-in-law: Margaret Christiansen Enns; grandchildren: Chuck Peterson of Buffalo, Jesse, Lucas and Aubrie Christiansen all of Denver; great grandson: Nick Peterson of North Carolina; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, a son Curt, brother Robert Gilbert, a sister Helen Bakke, sister-in-law Joyce Gilbert, brothers-in-law Lowell Sellin and Lester Bakke.
Funeral services for Joan Christiansen were held on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. with visitation one hour prior to services all at The Buffalo Evangelical Covenant Church, 1601 Highway 25 N. in Buffalo, MN. Pastor Reid Gilbert officiated.
Casket Bearers were Jesse Christiansen, Lucas Christiansen, Gary Hill, Gary Haas, John Smelter and Steve Hahn.
Interment Lakeview Cemetery in Buffalo, MN
Joan was a good friend for over 40 years. She helped educate multiple generations of kids in Buffalo. We will miss her very much.
Love
Byron and Sophie Nordell
I have lots of wonderful memories of Joan. So many good times when I was young & Mom & Dad would go up to their house. Too many good times to list. She always made sure I was having a good time. She was such a kind , caring lady!
Thoughts & Prayers to you all 🙏
I came to Buffalo 50 years ago on Memorial Day (1971) and had been invited to move in with Don & Joan until I found a place to live. I accepted that offer. Joan treated me like family with that same smile that we saw when Natalie and I stopped to visit her at her home on Memorial Day this year. As Dale said, “She was such a kind, caring lady!” It was in that gracious spirit that she greeted us just 6 1/2 weeks ago. Thanks for sharing this special lady with us.
Like many, Mrs. Christiansen (Joan) was my first grade teacher. I always liked her! She was so nice. I have fond memories of her & Don together. They always took the took to talk with you. I’m glad for the visit at her house last October. God bless! Shelley Brown