The Reverend Dr. Conrad J. Christianson, Jr.

The Reverend Dr. Conrad Johan Christianson, Jr.,  79, of Frederick County, VA died Friday, February 27, 2015, at the Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center.

Pastor Christianson was born on October 13, 1935, in Stoughton, WI – the son of the late Conrad J. Christianson, Sr. and Edith L. Christianson.   He graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois with a degree in Bachelor of Arts.   He attended the Kirchliche Hochschule in Berlin, Germany in a church worker’s exchange program sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation.  Pastor Christianson served in the Army, stationed at Heidleberg, Germany, for part of his tour.  He was a caseworker for the Cook County Department of Public Aid in Chicago for two years.  He did graduate work in history and sociology.  He later attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Divinity and his Doctorate in Ministry.  During his first period of studies in the seminary, he interned at Holy Trinity Church, Hollis, NY.  He was a member of the Sons of Norway and Sons of the American Revolution, as well as serving as an Ecumenical Officer for the VA Synod, E.L.C.A. for many years.  Pastor Christianson was called to Bethel Lutheran Church in 1966, where he served as Pastor for 30 years.  Pastor Christianson was an original founder in 1975 of CCAP.  He also founded the Shenandoah Fellowship Foundation (Winchester House).  He was active in the Lions Club for many years as well as numerous other organizations here and throughout the state.

Pastor Christianson married Eva E. Strasser on June 24, 1965, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Surviving with his wife are daughter, Katrin M. Christianson, Oceanside, CA; sister, Ann M. Hundley, Wichita, KS; brother, Joel David Christianson, Lincoln, NE;  grandson, Christian L. Brady, Oceanside, CA.

A Celebration of Life service open to the public for my father will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday March 21, 2015 at Bethel Lutheran Church Winchester, 2077 N. Frederick Pike, Winchester, VA, 22603 with Pastor David Young officiating. The family will receive guests at 10:00 a.m. A meal for all will follow at 12:00 p.m. A private service for the family will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Park Scatter Garden, c/o Bethel Lutheran Church, 2077 N. Frederick Pike, Winchester, VA 22603.