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Marvin W. Christianson

Marvin W. Christianson

FAIRMONT — A Celebration of Life service for Marvin W. Christianson, 66, of Fairmont, Minn., will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Marvin passed away Sunday morning, Sept. 17, 2017, at his home in Fairmont. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, with a prayer service at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.

Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Marvin W. Christianson was born Feb. 20, 1951, in Pekin, Ill., the son of Marvin E. and Donna (Andrae) Christianson. He attended school in Halstad, Minn., and graduated from Halstad High School. As an avid learner, Marvin attended the University of Minnesota, Concordia College, University of North Dakota, and the University of Connecticut, obtaining degrees in biology, occupation therapy, exercise physiology, and hospital administration.

On April 29, 1972, Marvin was united in marriage to Bethel Helgeson. The marriage was blessed with three children, Eric, Andrea and Sara.

While working in the Grand Forks United Hospital and Rehab Center as director, Marvin was instrumental in getting national licensing for therapists. In 1986, the family moved to Pennsylvania where Marvin managed the rehab and then in-hospital administration at Geisinger Medical Center in Danvile, Pa. Upon returning to Minnesota in 1999, he worked as rehab director at Fairmont Community Hospital until becoming disabled in 2004.

Marvin was a 12-year cancer survivor and was a 27-year Parkinson’s warrior in addition to battling Polycythemia Vera (blood cancer).

In his spare time, Marvin enjoyed spending time outdoors golfing, fishing and playing basketball. He treasured spending time with family and friends and cherished all the memories made with them. Marvin was a humble man who lived life courageously. Through all of his struggles, he persevered and met those challenges with determination. One thing he wanted those he left behind to remember was to work hard but enjoy life and to not to wait for tomorrow. Marvin will be greatly missed by those that loved him and called him a friend.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Bethel Christianson of Fairmont, Minn.; son, Eric (Jennifer) Christianson of Blandon, Pa.; daughters, Andrea (James) Miller of Fairmont, Minn., and Sara Christianson of Brookhaven, Pa.; sister, Lori (Doug) Manley of Rosemount, Minn.; brother, David (Dana) Christianson of Fairmont; five grandchildren, Grace Miller, Noah Miller, Nicholas Christianson, Ava Christianson, and Chloe Christianson; as well as many other extended family and friends.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin E. and Donna Christianson; and his grandparents.

Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society, the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, or Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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