Donald Wear Christianson

Don Christianson

Donald Wear Christianson was born to Ben and Peggy Christianson on December 22, 1929 in Denver, CO. At the age of 5 he moved to the Donald Ranch north of Cope, CO, homesteaded in 1912 by his aunt and uncle, Art and Mabe Donald, 30 miles south of Yuma. Don graduated from Yuma High School in 1946, then attended the Colorado University Music School in Boulder. He returned to the Donald Ranch one year later and married Leona Mae Courtney in 1948.  They had three children, Dennis, Linda and Sandra who were all raised on the Ranch and they were married for 32 years.

In the 1950’s he formed the Don Cristy Dance Band which allowed him to express his love of music to share with others, as well as giving him enjoyable breaks from ranch life.  Don also enjoyed working with his hand, mainly with steel and wood, and later with stained glass.  He moved to Denver in the mid-1970’s where he was a free-lance photographer for Channel 7 news.  He also took up flying again which was another one of his passions.  Years after he divorced, he later met a new partner, Babs Murphy, whom he spent 22 years with.  Babs left this world in 2012 and Don then returned to Yuma, CO to be closer to his family.  Don had a good life and was fortunate to experience many things.

He leaves behind his three children, Dennis Christianson, Linda King and Sandra Wilson, his five grandchildren, Lori Hoffner, Tyson King, Brooke Binder, Summer Westerbur, and Travis King, as well as his great-grandchildren, Spencer Dressel, Joslyn King, Jacob King, Parker Dressel and Kade Westerbur.

The Funeral Service was held on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Baucke Funeral Chapel in Yuma, Colorado with Pastor Jaime Nieves officiating.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.