Terrence Christiansen

Terrence “Terry” Lee Christiansen, age 72, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, September 4, 2023, at Essentia Health- St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes.

A celebration of his life will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023, at the David-Donehower Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes, with a time of gathering an hour prior. 

Terry was born on August 21, 1951, to Richard and Beverly (Huntly) Christiansen in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The family moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where Richard served in the U.S. Air Force. After Richard's death, he and his mother moved to Ringsted, Iowa, to be closer to family and friends. Beverly remarried in 1954, to James Beaver, who loved and treated Terry as his child. The family grew to include his brother, Robert, and two sisters, Patricia and Rebecca.

In 1957, the family moved again to Estherville, Iowa, where Terry would graduate high school in 1969. In 1971, he earned his associate degree from Iowa Lakes Community College and went to work for Dale D. Jacobson Engineering. Terry then worked for the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad. In 1980, he went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad out of Staples, Minnesota, until 1994, when he switched to Dilworth. He retired in 2009.  Terry was united in marriage to Patsy Webber in June of 1971, and they had two sons, Aaron and Christopher. In August of 1999, he married Barbara (Popp) Black, who had two adult children, Bryan and Amanda, and seeing the joy he brought Barbara, accepted him into their family.

Terry enjoyed spoiling his four grandchildren.  He had a passion for cars, especially the Ford Mustang, and liked attending car shows.  Moreover, he was fond of attending road and drag races at the Brainerd Race Track.  Terry was an avid Minnesota sports fan and rooted for the Twins and Vikings.  He also liked old Westerns and never missed an episode of Jeopardy. 

Terry is survived by his wife, Barb; his father, Jim Beaver of Spirit Lake, IA; a son, Aaron (Megan) Christiansen of Sabin, MN; a step-son: Bryan (Anke) Black of Pelican Rapids, MN; a step-daughter, Amanda Black of Savage, MN; a brother, Bob (Paula) Beaver of Estherville, IA; sisters, Patty (Paul) Freedman of Mesa, AZ; and Becky (Ed) Larkin of Estero, FL; two grandsons: Aiden and Blake Christiansen; two granddaughters: Johanna and Petra Black; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.