Jimmy Christianson

Jimmy Dwight Christianson, age 77, passed away on August 3, 2023 at Schowalter Villa. He was born on August 12, 1945 to Glen and Betty Christianson in Hamburg, Iowa. Jim grew up in Shenandoah, Iowa. He worshiped at the First Christian Church and attended Shenandoah schools, Jim worked as a cook in high school.

After high school, Jim worked at a car dealership in Shenandoah. He and his brother, David, moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1967 to work as mechanics for Oser Leasing Company. In 1969, Jim moved to Newton, Kansas to open a new shop for the Company. The shop was located on Old 81 Highway and he worked at that location for 48 years. During that time, the shop changed names several times: Feld, Gelco, Penske and finally J.C. Diesel. Jim was a talented mechanic and was known to fabricate his own parts when needed to repair a semi-truck or car.

In 1963, Jim married Pamela Billingsley. They would have three children and divorce. Jim moved to Hesston, Kansas and in 1977, he married Judy Koontz. They were married until her death in 2000. In 2006, Jim married Pat Goering.

Jim enjoyed watching NASCAR, football and baseball. He attended car racing and drag racing events and spent time working on race cars. Over the years, Jim participated in bowling leagues, built and flew remote control airplanes, and participated in motorcycle poker runs.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, Merle Sheridan; his second wife, Judy; and his brother David Christianson.

Jim is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Tammy (Sean) Nibert of Trenton, Florida; son, Tracy (Debbie) Christianson of Newton; and son, Steve Christianson of Newton; step-son, Toby Koontz of Gillett, Wyoming; step-daughter, Angela Ratzlaff of Great Bend, Kansas; step-daughter, Megan (Kieth) Frymire of Newton; step-daughter, Leslie (Daniel) Knapp of Maize, Kansas; 25 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; brother Danny (Debbie) Christianson of Shenandoah, Iowa; sister-in-law, Mary Christianson of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and other extended family and friends.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Petersen Family Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 11, 2023 at Petersen Family Funeral Home, with a graveside service following at Hesston City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association.