Russell Victor Christiansen

Colonel Russell Victor Christiansen, much loved husband, grandfather, uncle, father-in-law, and friend passed away on April 30, 2023 at his home. Russell “Russ” was born October 9, 1940 in St. Paul, Minnesota. While working as a teenager at the Avalon Movie Theater, he met the love of his life Darlene Louise Kellermann Christiansen. They would hold hands through the movie ticket booth. Russ received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1964 where he also received his commission in through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Russ married Darlene “Dar” on September 4, 1965. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2020.

Russ, Dar and their children lived all over the world with Russell during his career in the Air Force (retired Colonel). They had military adventures in Oklahoma, Missouri, North Dakota, Minnesota, Texas, Turkey, Ohio, and Saudi Arabia. Colonel Russ Christiansen was part of the site alteration task force responsible for modifying Minuteman II launch silos to accommodate the more powerful Minuteman III. He served as a Meteorologist, Project Design Engineer, and Chief of Construction Management. In 1977, he was stationed at Ankara, Turkey as Director of Civil Engineering and then in 1980 was Chief of the Programs Branch Aeronautical Systems Division. In 1984 he was the Chief of Operations and Commander of the 91st Civil Engineering Squadron at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. In 1986 he and his family moved to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as Russ was the Director of Construction Engineering. He completed the facilities necessary for the AWACS, F-5, and F-15 aircraft purchased by the Royal Saudi Air Force. He also directed the Air Force’s single largest turnkey contract for design and construction of a new command, control, and communications system comprised of 5 underground command posts and 17 long range radar sites.

Colonel Russell Christiansen’s military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Commendation Medals, two Outstanding Unit Awards, three Organizational Excellence Awards, two National Defense Service Medals, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

He was a lifelong Lutheran with him, his parents and family highly involved with First Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and Christ the King Lutheran in Universal City, Texas, designing and making the stained-glass windows for the church including the Reformation stained glass window.

Russ was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and father-in-law! Russ was an excellent artist, painting many beautiful paintings during his lifetime. Russ was also an expert at making and designing stained glass. He designed and made stained glass for churches, his house, and taught this skill to his grandchildren. Russ was also very patient and kind. He enjoyed spending time with his family. He took loving full-time care of his beloved wife Dar after her stroke for many years until her death.

Russ was predeceased by his wife Darlene Christiansen, his father Clarence Victor Christiansen, mother Laura Geneva King Christiansen, and sister Sue Carlson. He is survived by daughter Dawn Zainhofsky (husband Steve), son Brian Christiansen (wife Johanna), son Eric Christiansen and grandchildren Kyle Zainhofsky, Tyler Zainhofsky, Sophia Christiansen, Bailey Zainhofsky, Austin Zainhofsky, Harold Christiansen and Tessa Christiansen, sister-in-law Carol Kellermann, sisters Bev Christiansen & Shirley Martinson (husband Jack), brother-in-law Greg Carlson, nieces Laura Ostriech, Sara Santana, Amanda Carlson, nephews Rocky Kellermann (wife Spring), George Kellermann (wife Jen), and Scott Carlson (wife Holly).

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 10th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Porter Loring North Funeral Home 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 78232. The funeral for Russell Christiansen will be Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 10:30 am at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1129 Pat Booker Road, Universal City, Texas 78148, luncheon at church hall immediately after the service, with burial to follow with full military honors at 1:30 pm at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Memorial gifts welcome at the American Stroke Association at stroke.org as Russ’ beloved wife suffered for several years from the effects of her stroke.

Visitation: Wednesday, May 10, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Porter Loring North Funeral Home, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 7823

Funeral: Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 10:30 am at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1129 Pat Booker Road, Universal City, Texas 78148. Luncheon immediately following funeral at church hall. Burial immediately following luncheon.

Burial with Full Military Honors: Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 1:30 pm at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery