Andrew Peter Christiansen

Ankeny

Andy P. Christiansen passed away October 31, 2012 at Iowa Methodist Hospital. Andy was born February 3, 1970 to Paul N. Christiansen of Ankeny and Carol Christiansen of West Des Moines. Andy grew up in West Des Moines and graduated from Valley High School where he played soccer and excelled in academics. He attended Drake University for two years until 1990 when he had a brain aneurysm and was in Iowa Methodist Hospital for eight months. From there, he lived in NW Village in Sheldon, IA and COC in Pella. Andy spent his last five years living independently in an apartment staffed by On With Life in Ankeny.

Anyone who knew Andy loved him. He had a positive attitude, witty sense of humor, loved to be with family, walk and go to concerts.

He was baptized and attended Luther Memorial Church as a child. He was confirmed and attended St. Mark Lutheran Church through his junior high and college years. He is survived by his parents; brother, Erik Christiansen (Sherrie); sister, Anna Marie Hammond (Bryan); nieces, Casady Brittain (Jeff) and Bryanna Hammond; nephews, Pete Christiansen, Drew Hammond and Brady Hammond. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and step-mother, Susan Christiansen.

Visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at McLaren's Chapel in West Des Moines. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mark Lutheran Church in West Des Moines with burial at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Brain Injury Association (CASG), On With Life, and New Horizons (P.P.).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines Register on Nov. 4, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Christiansen

38 Entries

Jeonia Curtis

November 20, 2012

My memories of Andy at Younker Rehab always make me smile. I know he and Sue are yucking it up together now. What a gift he was to all of us and although I know your grief is great, know he was a treasure he was to each of us who knew him. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of his life. Jeonia Curtis

Pat Grassfield

November 14, 2012

Carol and Paul and Erik and Anna . . . you have lost a bright star in your lives. He gave you much. Love from Pat Grassfield

Phil Grove

November 8, 2012

Andy was an inspiration to all of us in the Village family. He was always so positive and could make a friend of anyone with that great smile. We will always remember Andy and his great sense of humor and outgoing personality. We share in your loss, but rejoice in knowing that the Good Lord has called Andy home because He has great plans for him.

Michelle Van Ginkel

November 8, 2012

I would always call him Andrew, and he would always correct me, and say "Andy", so when his birthday rolled around my gift to him was to call him Andy all day. I referred to him as Mr. 8 layers, and we always counted the many layers of clothing he would be wearing for the day. It was always a party each month when we did the weights and he put on a few pounds. He will be missed very much, my love and prayers go out to his family.

Lauren Campbell

November 8, 2012

Gilligan always had a smile on his face and was a joy to be around. I am lucky to have met him. Thoughts and prayers for Carol & family.

November 7, 2012

Carol and family, as I read through the guest book, the one striking statement is always about Andy and his smile.This great gift was special to Andy and he was so willing to share it with everyone he knew or met. I can think of no greater tribute to this wonderful young man, then for people to feel so blessed by his smile. While losing Andy is such a great loss for everyone, I hope the memories he has been able to provide will always be a comforting memory for you and your family. Joyce & Darrel Webb, Waukee, IA

Julie Mullin Moore

November 6, 2012

Thinking of your family! You are in our prayers!

Deb Gregson

November 6, 2012

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Andy will be greatly missed.

Rose Magnussen

November 6, 2012

Thinking of the family. I loved working with Andy while he was at Village Northwest Unlimited in Sheldon. He was such a fun and kind young man. My sympathy to all of you. Rose Magnussen

Nikki Wince

November 6, 2012

Paul and Carol - such heartbreaking news for your family and I wish there was more that could be done to ease your sorrow. I do hope you take comfort in knowing just how many lives Andy touched and how much he was loved by all. Much love to you and your families.

Michelle Simmons

November 6, 2012

My sympathies to Andy's family. I worked with Andy while he lived in Sheldon at TTC. I don't think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. He could light up the room.

Janet Hockey

November 6, 2012

Carol, Paul and Family:

I am very sorry for Andrew. I remember him as a little kid at Luther Memorial Church. He was always a tease but a nice kid. My prayers are with you right now and just know that he is at peace with Jesus. Take Care,

Janet Johansen Hockey

November 6, 2012

Carol,
What a guy! You have our sympathy and prayers. He was so lucky to have such a special mother in his life. There are no words to take the pain away,but know that we have been thinking about you and may God grant you all the strength to get through this with your church family and friends. With love,Pam and Metz Metcalf

Page Eastin

November 5, 2012

Andy could always bring a smile to the faces of others. He will be very missed.

November 5, 2012

Carol...I'm in Florida now, having moved here, hurriedly, following the fracture of my right hip and rehab at Fleur Heights, and then referral to a rehab facility here. This is the first time I've had access to one of my daughter's computers. ANd I am so sorry to hear about Andy's death! He was such a seemingly happy and always such friendly guy. I'm sure you will miss him.
My sympathies to you.
Doris Konkol

Pat Bagg

November 5, 2012

I will miss Andy so much! As a 3 year volunteer at New Horizons, I was honored to get to know him and loved his attitude and witty sense of humor. Andy, I will always "see" you walking the halls of NH, always replying to my "Andy" as I pointed to you and your "Pat" as you pointed back. My sympathies to the family.

Bill Fahey

November 5, 2012

All of us at The Toro Company NSN have your family in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Bill F.

karen seidl

November 4, 2012

Carol, your family is in our prayers! Karen vern seidl and men Brian,Jamie, travis

November 4, 2012

Carol and family,keeping our thoughts and prayers with you at this time. We love you Carol.
Peggy, John Horton, Mary Bixter and Megan Hegna.

ROBERT Ritchie

November 4, 2012

Andy and i were great buds he was hillarious loved to joke laugh and carry on now heaven has a special angel

Julia Bebensee, Speech Pathologist

November 4, 2012

Andy was such a happy person to work with. I met Andy during his 8 month stay at IMMC and worked with him during his rehabilitation stay at Younker Rehab. I'll never forget the day he turned 21 as he repeatedly let us all know about his birthday.

Andy was a bright light and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends.

Cheryl Newhouse

November 4, 2012

Blessings to you and your family, Carol. Andy will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with you.
Cheryl & Family

Harvey and Carol Andersen

November 4, 2012

Deepest sympathy, Carol, and to all of Andy's family. Andy was one of the most congenial, outgoing and positive persons I had the privilege of knowing. Andy's radiant and sincere personality made him a special friend to everyone he met. May you cherish all the great memories you as a family shared with Andy. Harvey

Holly Halter-Proudfit

November 4, 2012

Andy was one of a kind and though I didn't get to see him much in the last few years, he always had a smile on his face and was great fun to talk to when I did. He will be missed. I'm thinking of all of you.

Layton Miles

November 4, 2012

Andy was a special guy.

Caroale Robb

November 4, 2012

I am so sorry to hear about Andy. He and Amy were so cute together when they were little. We so enjoyed living next door and will never forget those good times. Your family has my sympathy!
Carole Drish Robb

Mindy Liechti

November 3, 2012

Carol and Paul - It has been many years since I have seen Andy. Even though I knew it was right for him to move closer to his family, he had become part of the Village family too and I missed his smile and nutty sense of humor. I still have a picture of him and I on the bulletin board. My sympathy to your family. I am glad I had the opportunity to meet Andy and work with him at TTC.

Kristi Bateman Moore

November 3, 2012

He was a great guy, always had a smile and a great personality. Only knew him for a short time, but always enjoyed seeing and chatting with him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

Dawn Mabe

November 3, 2012

Andy lightened a room with his smile. I enjoyed his one liners and his love of Oreo cookies. Support groups in the future will definitely be missing a shining star, but I know he will be shining down on us. We are all blessed for spending time with Andy.

Kristina Forget

November 3, 2012

Carol, I didn't know Andy long but the short time I did know him I knew what a great guy he was. What a sense of humor and amazing heart. My prayers are with you, family, and friends.

Norma Hanke

November 2, 2012

Praying for comfort and healing for Carol and all of Andy's family. Andy was truly an inspiration and a joy to know. I'll miss hearing him yell, "Mrs Hanke!!!!" whenever he saw me. He made everyone feel special. God's blessings to you all.

Diane Mahoney

November 2, 2012

Having met Andy 22 years ago he forever has a place in my heart! When people ask me why I do what I do...It's cause I get to meet cool people like Andy and his family!! Andy touched countless lives and will remain in the hearts of them all!!

Natasha Retz

November 2, 2012

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with your family.

Eileen Doyle

November 2, 2012

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm going to miss Andy. He was my next door neighbor. Eileen D

Drew Hammond

November 2, 2012

Andy was a great outgoing person. He always had a smile on his face and everyone who met him loved him. He will definitely always be remembered and I am proud to be named after such a great person Love you uncle andy remember not goodbye but see you later down the road miss you.

Lynda Christensen

November 2, 2012

He sure will be missed and my prayers are with you and your family Carol that the multitude of memories will give you some comfort in the days ahead. Lynda

Deb Nairn

November 2, 2012

Praying for Andy's family.. I was one of the first people he remembered when I took care of him at IMMC shortly after he had his brain injury. The look on his face smiling and yelling at me Debbie Kauzlarich over and over was priceless since he was having such a difficult time with his memory!! To watch him and care for him at IMMC was wonderful watching all his progress he was making. I saw him throughout the last 10 years and he still remembered me. I will miss him dearly. Condolences to the family. Deb Kauzlarich Nairn

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