Waltraud Christianson

Waltraud's Tribute Video

Waltraud Christianson, 73, of Faulkton, passed away, Sunday, November 21, 2010 at the Faulkton Area Medical Center.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Monday November 29, 2010 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Faulkton with Pastor Tammy Craker officiating. Burial followed in the Miranda Cemetery. Visitation was held from  2:00 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, November 28, 2010 at the Luce Funeral Home in Faulkton with a 4:30 p.m. prayer service.

Waltraud Zupp was born February 13, 1937 to Bruno and Gerda (Rutzer) Zupp in Germany.  She was baptized in the Lutheran Church.  In 1952 she immigrated to the United States with her parents and five siblings.  She enjoyed seeing the Statue of Liberty.  The family was sponsored by the Lutheran Church and worked for Chris Bierman of Chelsea.  Waltraud and her family became United States citizens in 1959 of which she was very proud.  Waltraud was a VFW Auxiliary member.  She enjoyed FOX news on television, playing cards with her family, going to casinos and working on the farm by Miranda operating Pheasant Acres Lodge.  The first farm lodge was founded in 1947.  Waltraud lived through World War II in Germany.  Her mother was taken away from all her children by the Russians and escaped a short time later and hid on her grandmother’s farm.

Waltraud married John Christianson December 24, 1954.  She helped him with farming, cattle calving, hunting lodge and baling hay for forty four years.  She helped John her entire life with everything she could of which he appreciated and is very grateful.  Waltraud made twenty thousand hay bales.  Waltraud understood and considered others and was helpful to everyone.  She never criticized anyone and always helped them.  She helped John keep the farm and lodge going always. 

She is survived by her husband John Christianson; two brothers: Egon Zupp of Redfield, and Bruno Jr. (Carol) of Florida; four sisters: Irmgard Zupp Traver of Faulkton, Helga Zupp Wheeler of Sioux Falls, Bonnie Zupp Steenis of Arkansas and Carol Zupp (Gary) Taylor of Georgia and many nieces and nephews.

Waltraud was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, two brothers in law and one sister in law.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Waltraud’s arrangements.