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Harris councilman diesBy Danielle Strenke When David Christianson was elected to his fourth term on the Harris City Council in 2000, he was pleased that the residents thought he was doing a good job. His main concerns, though, were the few who did not vote for him, and finding a way to do his job as a council member even better. Christianson died Sunday at Fairview Lakes Hospital at the age of 72. Harris Mayor Richard Hanson said the news of Christiansonís passing Monday was a shock and surprise. Christianson served as a city council member for more than 13 years. In that time, he was always the first to question whether a decision being made by the council was the best one for the residents of Harris. ěHe had more intensive questioning of people and their motives,î Hanson said. ěHe kept after people and in many ways was the most persistent on projects and keeping them on track.î One of two daughters, Kari Christianson agrees that her father was a critical thinker, and adamant about the things that were important to him ń the environment and education. ěHe always had his nose in a science book. He was a great lover of knowledge.î Christianson was active in the North Branch Regional Library, and advocated early education and reading to children at an early age. Christianson and wife, Mary, moved to Harris in the early 1970s, buying around 400 acres of land. They raised six children on a small hobby farm on the land. At the time, Christianson worked for the State of Minnesota as a research analyst with the Department of Agriculture. Later, they built a new house and sold off some of the property where new homes are now built. Before going to work for the state, Christianson served four years in the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany, translating transmissions in a radio tower. Christianson had to learn both German and Russian for the job, Kari said. After serving in the Air Force, Christianson received a degree from Metro State University and also took classes at the University of Minnesota. Christianson retired from his job with the state at age 65. After his retirement, Christianson remained active as a council member, a library board member, a member with the ECRDC and a member of the Minnesota Geological Society and DAC. Hanson said Christiansonís input into issues affecting the city will be missed. ěHe and I really had a lot in common. I would call and talk about things between meetings, because he really appreciated being kept informed.î The mayor added that he hopes other residents of Harris appreciated all the work Christianson did for the community as much as he did. ěHe put in a good tenure of service to the city and I hope the city appreciates the work he did,î Hanson said. Kari said, above all else, her father was an independent thinker. ěHe always had very clear ideas of what was important, and wasnít afraid to share them.î Services for Christianson will be held Saturday, June 15. ©ECM Post Review |