Final Salute

James “Jim” E. Christianson, 84, of Waterville, IA, died Friday, January 24, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Martin – Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

James “Jim” Edwin Christianson was born September 6, 1940, the son of Edwin and Loretta (Weipert) Zweibohmer Christianson. He was baptized and confirmed at Waterville Lutheran Church and graduated from Waterville High School in 1958. Jim served in the US Navy from 1966 – 1968 as a Seabees. On June 22, 1968, he married Wanda Jean Fritz in the First Presbyterian Church chapel in Waukon. Jim started his career logging the bluffs of Northeast Iowa. He then went to work at Capco and decided to carry his passion for logging to Effigy Mounds, where he worked as a groundskeeper. He ended his working career with Ashbacher Building Supplies.

Jim was a lifelong resident of Waterville. He was a proud Navy Seabee, Vietnam veteran, and a member of the VFW. If you were to ask his kids, he was also a proud member of the Casino Queen in Marquette. In his early days, he raced stock cars in Waukon and was an avid hunter and fisherman, which he passed down to his children. He enjoyed raising horses and if you happened to drive by on the 4th of July, you would see his collection of antique tractors. In his recent days, you could find him watching western shows, going for UTV rides, and spending time with his family. In September of last year, he got the title of great-grandpa and was very proud of his little “Huck”.

Survivors include his wife Wanda of Waterville; his children: David Christianson and Daryl Christianson, both of Waterville, a daughter Darcy (Ryan) Mathis of Harpers Ferry; three grandchildren: Kiersten (Logan) Holstad, Tyler Christianson, and Cody Runice; a great-grandson Huxton James Holstad; his siblings: Carl (Betty) Christianson of Waukon, Jean Ann Fritz of St. Cloud, FL, Richard Christianson of Waterville, Avis Troendle of Marion, IA, and Alice Zoll of Macclenny, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents: a daughter Lisa Marie Christianson; and three brothers-in-law: John Fritz, John W. Troendle, and Ed Zoll.