Carol Chan Christiansen

1935 - 2024

Carol Chan Christiansen
April 16, 1935 - November 6, 2024
Born in Seneca S.D. to Myron and Grace (Goodall) Christiansen.
Moved to New London, Belgrade area of Central Minnesota at the age of 1&1/2 years. The oldest of 7 children, 6 boys and 1 girl. Attended Windy Hill a 1 room country grade school through 8th grade. Then 4 years of high school at Belgrade Minnesota, where of course he enjoyed football and basketball. He enlisted in the Army at the age of 18. Stationed at various locations in the lower 48. After boot camp he was given a choice of 3 bases. Alaska was his 3rd choice but he ended up a soldier stationed at Ft Richardson in Anchorage. He traveled around the state becoming familiar with communication locations. Mustered out of service in 1955 driving the ALCAN back to Minneapolis Minnesota, where he used his GI Bill to earn a radio tech license at Northwest Radio and TV School. At a Polka Dance at the Marigold Ballroom in Mpls. Carol met his future wife Norma Seidlitz, a Wisconsin girl. They were married on December 1, 1956 at her home church Trinity Lutheran near Jim Falls Wisconsin. Carol worked various jobs while waiting for a call from Federal Electric Corp., for a job on the new White Alice Communications System in Alaska. The call came and after his second of more than 35 drives on his beloved ALCAN, they arrived in Anchorage for 'on the job training'. The first site assigned was at Indian Mountain and after a year and a half he bid into the Fort Yukon Site where family could join him. A year and a half later Carol earned his spot at the Neklason Lake Site out of Palmer where he finished his 40 plus years in telecommunications before retiring. Commonly called "Chris" at work also known as 'the Forever Tech in Charge'. Carol furthered his education by taking many courses at Mat-Su Community College as well as various out of state schooling opportunities to further his profession. A dedicated family man, Carol served on many volunteer boards in the Mat Su Borough. A member and office holder at St John Lutheran Church. He helped organize and coached youth football thus helping bring football back to our high schools after an absence. Carol helped organize and coach youth basketball. In later years he had been called "Papa Moose" by some coaches who were his players as youth.
His "Go Mooooooooose" voice could be heard throughout the stands. A volunteer fireman and supervisor at Central Mat-Su Fire Station, a Road Service Commissioner. National Ski Patrolman at Independence Mine Ski Area. A great family ski slope. A fun job of playing Santa for his family, friends' families, stateside families and at the Pioneer Home with Pioneers of Alaska along with Mrs Santa. King Regent with Queen Norma for the Pioneers of Alaska in 2005. Teaching water skiing on little Falk Lake and then Finger Lake where he built the family home. Carol is survived by his wife Norma of nearly 68 years, 6 children and their spouses: Chan and Lori, Newport Oregon; Rodney and Temple, Palmer Alaska; Curt and Monique, Palmer Alaska; Bejean and Jay Page, Maricopa Arizona; Scott and Victoria, S Lake Tahoe, California and Jeanette and Ted Perdue, Palmer Alaska. Also survived by 14 grandchildren: Dustin, Collin, Cameron, Adam, Aaron, Tucker, Sawyer and Larkin Christiansen, Shelby (Colin), Sarah (Tahid), Louis and Grayce Page, Chantel and Jack Perdue. 3 great grandchildren: Bryley, Jedidiah and Dean. Survived by two brothers and spouses: Wayne and Suzanne, Vern and Zaida, and sister-in-law Ruby Christiansen and many nieces and nephews. Carol will be greatly missed by the South Dakota and Minnesota Christiansen families as well as by Norma's huge loving Wisconsin family who loved and respected him greatly. Predeceased by his parents, 3 brothers, one sister and one grandchild Jordan Christiansen.
Funeral services will be at St John Lutheran Church in Palmer Alaska on November 23rd., visitation 1 hour before the 2 p.m. service with internment to follow at the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery followed by a reception at the church.
Memorials can be made to the charity of your choice, ANCORA Hospice, or to St John Lutheran.