The Life of Walter Nels Christianson
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 9, 2005 at a 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille for Walter Nels Christianson, 81, who died at 1:50 PM on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 at his home after battling Alzheimers Disease for over 20 years. Entombment will be held at Lafayette Memorial Park Mausoleum. The Reverend Keith J. DeRouen, Rector of The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the services. Mr. Christianson was born July 26, 1923 in Kankakee, Illinois and had lived in Lafayette since 1970. His parents were Nels Christianson of Copenhagen, Denmark and the former Ethel Smith of Kankakee. Survivors include his devoted wife of 52 years, Ellie Fortier Christianson; three sons, Erik Nels Christianson and his wife, Donna of Lafayette; Scott Edwin Christianson of Lafayette and Karl Walter Christianson of Boerne, Texas; two granddaughters, Carol Lynne Christianson and Christiaan Nicole Christianson, both of Lafayette; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Bertha Christianson, Adeline Rabjohns and her husband Earl and Edith Merriss and her husband, Richard; a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Plauche Christianson and one granddaughter, Kerrie Elizabeth Christianson. He was a three-sport letter winner in football, baseball and basketball as a student at University High School in Nomal, Illinois. He served in the Pacific aboard the LST 42 in the United States Navy during World War II and later attended Delgado Technical Institute in New Orleans. Mr. Christianson worked for the International Harvester Company in New Orleans and was Louisiana District Parts Manager for Volkswagen of America. He then worked as Parts Manager for various Volkswagen dealerships in South Louisiana until the onset of Alzheimers Disease. The family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to Emma Senegal, his dedicated caregiver for the past decade, for her kindness and sensitivity. Mr. Christianson was a member of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community. The family requests that visiting hours be observed Saturday 9 AM until time of the services. Pallbearers are Erik Christianson, Scott Christianson, Karl Christianson and three godsons, Edwin Fortier, III, David Griffin, Aron Fortier and Richard Young. Arrangements have been entrusted to Martin & Castille Funeral Home, Inc. of Lafayette. 337-234-2311
