Keith R. Christianson

Keith Robert Christianson, 81, died Monday, December 29, 2025, peacefully, at The Terrace at Fort Wayne Assisted Living, with his youngest son at his bedside. He was born on June 17, 1944 in Superior WI, the son of the late Gerald and Mildred (Erickson) Christianson.

Keith’s story really begins with his marriage on October 24, 1964 to Janice Louise Vierck, Assembly of God Church, Janesville, WI. For the next 61 years, friends and family reflexively called Keith as a combined ‘Jan and Keith.’ They were the picture of devotion.

Keith’s second enduring love was music and playing guitar. Self taught beginning in his teenage years, he converted basements and spare bedrooms into music studios complete with recording tracks and pedal boards. Months before his passing, he gave his collection of cherished Gretsch, Fender and acoustic guitars to his 2 sons and 4 grandsons.

Keith retired from General Motors Fort Wayne Assembly in 2011 after 31 years, beginning in Janesville WI in 1980 and transferring to the new truck plant in Indiana in 1986. His superpower was his getting-up and going to work. And never late to clock-in. Never in an entire life of work was he late.

Keith’s purpose in life was to set the example for his two sons - from the fidelity of marriage to a work ethic that never stopped grinding, or demonstrating charity with money and time - he was the leader of the family. And he was a patriot. He respected our veterans deeply and spoke proudly of his grandson Mason who enlisted in the US Navy. Keith was an annual donor to veteran groups and police associations. He would routinely buy breakfast for the cop or soldier at the next table. Anonymously, of course.

Keith is survived by his wife Janice; two sons, Brian (Dana) Christianson of Edgerton, WI, grandsons Brady and Brice, both of Chicago, IL, and Jason (Holly) Christianson of Fort Wayne, IN, grandsons, Mason of Las Cruces, NM and Carter of Fort Wayne, IN and one sister, Ruth Thayer of Cherry Valley, IL.

He lived his life in black and white, truth and integrity, right and wrong. His compass always pointed True North. What some would call arguing, Keith would call debate. He would often take the opposite viewpoint just to test the other person’s conviction and knowledge. Keith said he always learned something new from challenging opinions of others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Ivan, sisters Rhoda, Patt, Beverly, and Phyllis who died in infancy. His younger sister, Ruth, recently remarked that "Keith was the most stubborn among all of us."

You’ll know the tree by it’s roots. In lieu of flowers and a memorial service, Keith suggested a contribution to Riley Children’s Health (RileyKids.org), a favorite of his gift-giving.