Eric Michael Christiansen
Eric Michael Christiansen was born on Nov. 14, 1949, in Long Beach, California to Milton Harvey Christiansen and Cloughie Jean Brown.
He was reborn as a child of God in the waters of Holy Baptism in 1961. In 1963 he was confirmed in the Christian faith and was fed the life-giving body and blood of Jesus. He was united in the holy marriage to Patricia Lynn Thorpe on Nov. 24, 1970, and was blessed with 53 years of married life together.
God blessed him with the gift of children: Erin Jean and Megan Lindsay with whom his heart delighted. On Jan. 10, 2024, God called him home to heaven in the presence of his loved ones.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Christiansen, daughters Erin Schmitt with her husband, Jim, and Megan Stephens with her husband, Cody, as well as his grandchildren Katelyn Schmitt, Mandy Schmitt, Sullivan Stephens and Elliot Stephens, in addition to his brother, Martin Christiansen and sister, Pam Bishop.
Over the course of his life, Eric committed his life to service to the Lord as well as the service to his community. He spent seven years serving the communities of Los Angeles County, California as a LA County Deputy Sheriff until an injury caused medical retirement.
In 1987, he moved his family across the country to attend Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1991, preparing him for service as a pastor. He spent two years as a missionary to the Arapahoe people on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. He was next called to serve the community of Rolla, North Dakota at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
After three years, he was called to his final parish of St. John Lutheran Church in Libby, Montana in 1996, where he finished his pastoral career in 2010. He took delight in caring for God’s people and sharing the Word of God and love of Jesus Christ.
He will be greatly missed by his family and community but has finally been granted the fulfillment of his Christian faith when he was called to heaven to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His family and friends grieve his loss, but know he is resting in the arms of the Lord.
The celebration for Eric’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at the St. John Lutheran Church located on 1017 Montana Ave. in Libby. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby.
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.