Hilmen Christianson
Hilmen C. Christianson, 91, of Waukon died Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Monday, September 23 at 11 a.m. at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Inurnment of his cremains, along with his wife Lillian’s cremains, will be buried in the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family for one hour before the service and again during the lunch following the burial. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.
Hilmen Cornelius Christianson was born December 6, 1927 in Rochester, MN, the son of Andrew Cornelius and Hilma Cornelia (Larson) Christianson. He was baptized at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN and confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon. He attended Waukon schools and served in the United States Army from 1946-1947.
November 27, 1951, he married Lillian Eileen Herman at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Hilmen drove school bus for Allamakee School District and hauled milk for a couple of years. He and Lillian farmed together in Makee Township raising crops, beef cattle, hogs, chickens, and milked cows. In 1980, they moved into Waukon, where he drove fuel truck for Farm Services for two years and then he went to work for DHIA as a tester before retiring in 2000.
Hilmen was a member of Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church, where he served as a trustee. He was also a member of the American Legion in Waukon and was active in the honor guard for military graveside rites for several years. Hilmen enjoyed woodworking and made shelves and furniture. He also enjoyed playing cards, walking, dancing, and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his children: Richard, Robert (Carol) and Steven, all of Waukon; four grandchildren: Heather (Michael) Kleiboer of Decorah, Kelly (Greg) Mahoney of Ely, Brock (Sarah) Christianson of Waukon and Lauryn (Logan Breitsprecher) Christianson of Calmar; nine great-grandchildren: Katelyn and Dawson Kleiboer, Mason, Mitch and Emma Mahoney, Greyson, Maryse and Joslyn Breitsprecher, and Griffin Christianson; his siblings: Ione Rema, Clifton (Charlotte) Christianson and Margaret Herman, all of Waukon, Carmen (Marge) Christianson of Preston, MN, Norman (Gayle) Christianson of Vallejo, CA and Vivian (David) Benjegerdes of Postville; and an aunt, Lillian Larson of Waukon. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lillian, who died in 2018; a son, Victor; a brother, Virgil Christianson; a sister, Anaruth (Karl) Bechtel; and two brothers-in-law, Norman Rema and Alton Herman.
Honorary casketbearers are Hilmen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
