May 29, 1939 – December 25, 2020
Very suddenly and unexpectedly, Lloyd Christiansen passed away on Christmas Day 2020. Lloyd has always been my foundation to support me, my anchor through many rough seas, my height to reach to the top and my strength so we could do everything together.
Lloyd William was born in Eriksdale Hospital in 1939 to Olga and Thorbjorn Christiansen, the third born child along with one brother and seven sisters. Every year as his Birthday was approaching Lloyd would sing, “On the 29th of May is Lloyds Birthday, if we don’t get a Holiday, we’ll all run away”. Lloyd met the love of his life, Carole, at a baseball game in Camper in 1959 and recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Lloyd and Carole moved to Kitimat B. C. where son, Harlan and daughter, Jacalyn were born and moved back to Manitoba finally settling in St Clements.
My parents treasured Lloyd. He fit well into my family of 6 girls and 3 boys. Coming into my family was like an extension for Lloyd. He spent a lot of time and great memories with my siblings. Both of our parents are long gone. Our 5 wonderful grandsons have provided us with many hours of enjoyment. We lost our first grandson, Brody Gleich and will never recover from his loss. But now Brody and his loving Grandpa are together again.
In 2006 Lloyd’s family gathered here for a family reunion. His cousin and Lloyd had both recently had open heart surgery. It was that day we connected with more of Lloyd’s cousins.
Lloyd was a workaholic, never sitting down and always doing something. He always took pride in his potato patch and showed even more pride in the many trees he planted and cared for for the past 30 years in our yard. After working 34 years with Manitoba Hydro Lloyd spent many hours with his retirement hobby, his sawmill. He loved haying, working the land and sawing lumber. He accomplished some nice buildings with his home sawn lumber.
Harlan worded it right. He said “Dad is not a religious person, but how come the Lord decided to take him on Christmas Day? That has got to mean something.”
Lloyd is survived by his loving wife, Carole, children, Harlan Christiansen (Maria) and Jacalyn Gleich (Jim). Grandsons, Devon (Cassidy), Brock, Drake (Courtney) Gleich and Cole Christiansen who have made our lives very interesting. Sisters, Violet Lindell, Grace Anderson, Lillian Gardner, Marilyn Fudge, Bernice Obirek, Donna Beaudin and Irma Paterson and brother Lorne. Many brothers-in-law, sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Special mention of Jason Bichelbauer and Greg Sinclair who Lloyd worked with and loved with mutual feelings. And Special thanks to our family doctor, Dr Annabelle Vattheuer.
Thank you Honey for the 61 wonderful years you loved me, for their whole lives you loved Harlan and Jacalyn and even more, you loved your grandsons: Brody, Devon, Brock, Cole and Drake. And we all loved you as much if not more.
My angel up in heaven, I wanted you to know,
I feel you watching over me, everywhere I go.
I wish you were with me, but that can never be,
Memories of you in my heart that only I can see.
My angel up in heaven, I hope you understand,
That I would give anything, if I could hold your hand.
I’d hold you oh so tightly, and never let you go,
And all the love inside of me, to you I would show.
My angel up in heaven, for now we are apart,
You’ll always live inside of me, deep within my heart.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no formal service.
Sincere sympathy Carol, Harlan, Maria and Cole. Also to Jacalyn whom I did not know very well. I remember when you and Lloyd moved to St Clements and started to build in a field that was known to be “a Lake” most springs. Much work and planting of hundreds of trees soon turned it into a lovely yard site. I will remember Lloyd as hard working, friendly and always cracking a joke when he came to the gas station. He’s only a memory away.
Mae Fidler
Sincere condolences for your loss of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather & brother.
Sorry for you loss.
Sincere condolences to your family.
so very sorry to hear of your loss; may you find comfort in knowing that Lloyd is with Brody watching over you
So very sorry for your lose, Carole. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Merle and Wandis
Dear Carol and family, So sorry to hear of Lloyd’s passing. It was a real shock to us.
I thought I was going to be the first one of the kids to die in our family. I had heart surgery
three yrs. ago and haven’t been well since. Still going to Dr’s and cardiologists. We were
so sorry to hear about Brody. Hope this yr. will bring you much happiness.
Neil is still going strong. He is like Lloyd, a workaholic and 88 .
And with this covid stay safe,kind and calm.
Lil and Neil.
Carole, I am so sorry to hear of Lloyd’s passing. It was a pleasure to have met Lloyd and you through my parents (George and Mary Kutzak) who thought the world of you both and always enjoyed your visits to their home. Also at the dances my dad played at, you were such beautiful dancers. I’ll never forget the kindness of you and Lloyd to show my friend and I your horses on one of my visits back to Manitoba. Lloyd was a very nice gentleman with a million dollar smile. My heart is with you and your family at this time. May your happy memories provide comfort and give you peace at this sad time.
With love,
Norma
My condolences to the family. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss.
Our sincere condolences to you and your family on Lloyd’s unexpected passing. He was always a hard worker with a kind heart and great sense of humour.
Vicki & Jim Einarson
Carole and family – I did not know Lloyd or your family but do know many of Lloyd’s sisters. This was a beautiful obituary and I just wanted to tell you that and express my sincere condolences. Growing up we lived near the family of Jack and Lilly Sarapu – who I believe was Torb’s sister, so I probably met Lloyd when I was quite young.
Dagmar Zechel
So sorry for your loss Carole and family. Take comfort in your memories as he may be gone but will never be forgotten.❤️
Deepest sympathy to “All of You, “Lloyds family” and Friends Sincerely janet Jundt & Family
Dear Carole,
What a wonderful obituary! I know Lloyd was your hero, best friend and loving husband. You said he was the best thing that ever happened to you and I’m sure he felt the same way about you. I sure enjoyed the times the three of us we would sit and have tea after my visit with your horses. I’ll miss that. He was such a hardworking, kind man who loved his family dearly and loved animals. Such a huge loss. I am so sorry for you and your family.
Sincerely and with love,
Lucille & Brian
Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your loving husband. May your wonderful memories keep you strong and knowing Lloyd is with Brody brings you peace . I only got to meet Lloyd a few times but his wonderful nature made you feel like an old friend. Take care and God Bless you all.
Our 57th Wedding Anniversary was on Sunday July 25th. It was not a good day for me as I could only think of you all day. I keep waiting for you to come walking through the door. Honey your work on earth is done. Harlan and I are trying very hard to keep the yard looking the way you liked it. It is difficult, but looks good. You would be happy to know the garage is all insulated and ceiling sheeted. Walls next. I had to have Spiderman come and spray for the crickets, they are worse than ever this year. The horses are all gone now. Oh Lloyd, what I would give to have you back. Take good care of our Brody. I bet he is so happy to have his Grandpa with him. I Will Always Live You. ❤️💔💕💗🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Oh Lloyd, one year has gone by already. I cannot believe that I am still here without you. Honey, you are such a huge loss to our family. I feel no different one year after losing you than I did the day I lost you. I will say it again, “Honey, you were the best thing they ever happened to me”. I will forever feel like this. I hope you are spending lots of time with Brody. I love you Lloyd, and always will.