Christian "Chris" Lund

1931 - 2025

Christian Junior Lund, 94, was born on June 17, 1931, to Christian and Greta Minnich Lund in Sherwood, N.D. Joining his older brother Harlan.

He passed away peacefully, with family at his side, on Dec. 7, 2025, in Miles City, Mont., a fitting day since he was a proud Army veteran.

His father passed away after an accident on the farm 4. With the help of a friend, his mother moved to Miles City and opened the Penguin Ice Cream Shop. In 1935 Greta married Ray Lundby. Ray Jr. joined the family in 1940, followed by sister Maureen a year later.

Growing up his love of farming often saw him go back to work for an uncle in North Dakota. But as he got older he also worked at a gas station in Miles City so he could put gas in his vehicles, one of which was a pretty hot motorcycle. One nice day as Chris cruised the streets dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt with a pack of smokes rolled up in his sleeve, wind blowing his hair back, he caught the eye of a shy freshman girl, who all but made an instant decision.

Four years later, four days after her 18th birthday, Cpl. Lund married Betty Colleen Fadhl on Dec. 13, 1952.

After a few service adventures, Chris, who was stationed in Arizona, Alaska and California during the Korean War, and Betty returned to Miles City. He did stay in contact with some of his Army buddies all their lives and even made one godfather to their first child.

Chris soon went to work with his father-in-law John Fadhl on his farm at Rock Springs. During that time their daughter Lori, in 1954, and twins Jerry and Janice, 1956, were born. Shortly after the twins started school the family moved into town.

Eventually Chris began farming for Freda & Fred Schott and over the years he eventually ended up buying their land. It was where his son Jerry farmed and now his granddaughter Breanna lives with her family.

Chris farmed back in the day when they farmed 12 feet at a time, about a fifth of what is done today, a reference to the size of machinery. In addition to being an extremely successful farmer, he worked a wide range of jobs in the wintertime, at least when he and Betty weren't playing cards with next door neighbors Dominic and Faye Ruffato. Chris was instrumental in bringing telephone service to the north country. He also leased land to Custer County for the country school, charging the exorbitant price of $1 a year, which he no doubt dropped on the teacher's desk.

Later in life he fulfilled his dream of getting his pilot's license. Flying became his passion and he hosted fly-ins at the farm on Dead Man's Road.

Chris never really retired. When his son took over, he was out in the country almost every day, just to see if it rained or if the crops had started to come up or if it was about time to harvest or to see how the harvest was going or to see how the harvest went, always wanting to help.

Tragically Chris and Betty lost their son Jerry to a plane accident during the 2004 harvest. But Chris continued his non-retirement routine with his leasees and granddaughter until just days before he passed.

When he wasn't watching the grass grow or checking to see if the dirt was still there as his family liked to tease him, he would fly his plane as long as his health allowed or hit the road to sightsee or visit family with Betty or a friend. Once Betty passed in 2013, he continued to wander, always to return to his beloved farmland.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 61 years, Betty, son Jerry, and brothers Harlan and Ray. He is survived by his sister Maureen, daughters Lori (Dave)Trimmer and Janice Lund, grandchildren Garrett Trimmer, Blake (Kris) Trimmer, Christopher Young, Travis Young and Breanna (Tyler) Harbaugh, great grandsons Jerry Harbaugh and Parker Trimmer and close friend Jo Beaty.

Funeral services were held at First Lutheran Church in Miles City on Friday, December 12, 2025. Interment with full military honors took place in the family lot at Custer County Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Jerry Lund Memorial Scholarship at Stockman Bank or the Range Riders Museum. Christian "Chris" Lund