David Barry Christenson

David Barry Christenson passed away unexpectedly at the Billings Clinic Hospital on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, with his family by his side.

Dave was born Oct. 22, 1949, in Williston, N.D., to Pete and Esther (Sjovold) Christenson. He was the baby of the large family trailing along by 11 years. As a young child he lived on the family farm and then in Hanks, N.D., when his "Pa" retired from farming. Later they moved to Williston, N.D.

He spent a great deal of time with his similar-in-age nephew Paul Svendson and along with him and other friends in Williston got into enough trouble that he was sent to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Stan Newton, in Wolf Creek, Mont. Living with them he became very close to his niece, Shelley, and nephews, Tracy and Todd. During that time, he was in a horrific car wreck at the age of 16 and he was sure to not make it through but miraculously lived. He recently told Cindy he had lived a pretty long life considering he should have been gone then.

While attending Cascade High School he met Cindy Payne. They were married Oct. 12, 1968, and they began their life together in Great Falls, Mont., where Dave worked for Beatrice Foods. Their daughter Michelle was born while they were living there. He took her wherever he went at a young age and she is forever grateful for that bond and those memories. Their son Jody was born 10 years later in Glasgow, Mont.

In 1972, they moved to Wheeler, Mont., and later into Glasgow, when he went to work for his brother, Roy, commercial fishing on Fort Peck Lake. During this time he became good friends with Marcus Handley and spent a good deal of time out at his ranch which he very much enjoyed. Along with the commercial fishing he worked at IGA in the winters. A few years later Roy quit the fishing business but Dave continued on for several years, selling his catch to and working closely with good friend Ernie Austin until the commercial fishing was ceased on the lake. After that he earned his GED and went to work for the State of Montana as a highway surveyor. In the late 90s he left the state job and purchased the local Radiator Repair Shop working there until he retired.

In retirement he enjoyed helping Jody put up hay, feeding his small bunch of cows, fixing fences and work on other projects and "tolerated" irrigating.

Dave truly enjoyed visiting all his family and the big family gatherings they used to have. He liked being in the country, sitting on the deck with a drink, socializing at the VFW and reading books.

He was a man of few words when it came to expressing emotion but took great pride in his grandchildren, Cori and Chance. He might not have always shown it but loved them dearly and enjoyed seeing them grow and change through the years. They both have individual traits he admired and he was very proud of their accomplishments.

Dave lived his life very much on his own terms. He could be ornery and frustrate many... to then have us all wrapped around his finger with his infectious dimpled smile and his natural charismatic charm.

Dad left us way too soon but we are forever grateful for all the memories we have.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother; brothers Paul, Gordon, and Roy; and sisters Ellavon and Evie.

He is survived by his wife Cindy; children Michelle (Dave) Losing and Jody Christenson; grandchildren Cori and Chance Losing; siblings Phyllis (Stan) Newton and Dale (Dar) Christenson; many nieces and nephews who thought the world of him as he was their fun and youthful uncle. He is also survived by his lifelong best friend Dick Schroeder.

A graveside service was Saturday, Sept. 17, at 12 p.m. (MDT) at the East Writing Rock Cemetery near Fortuna, N.D., followed by a gathering back in Glasgow at the VFW around 4:30 p.m.