Miles Lee Christianson

Miles Lee Christianson, 64, passed away at home near Northwood on November 11, 2014 after a six year battle with lung disease. Miles was born in Mayville, North Dakota on June 8, 1950 to Elmer and Ruby (Cooper) Christianson. He grew up in Mayville and graduated high school in 1969. He went to work for Swingen Construction Company on the interstate bridge near his home in March of 1970. He spent the next forty-three years working there except for one summer when he took care of the farm when his dad was ill. He started out as a laborer and within a few years was a welder and crane operator. He became the shop foreman in 1983 and later was appointed Equipment Manager which is the position he held until his retirement in 2012. After retirement from Swingen’s, he started an excavating business with his son, Alex called High Road Excavating which was something he always wanted to do. He enjoyed working with Alex passing on his knowledge and experience. On February 16, 1985 he married Laurie Miller in Grand Forks. They met while working for Swingen Construction Company. They were blessed with the birth of two children, Megan and Alex. They raised their children on a farmstead near Thompson, North Dakota for 16 years and then they moved to their current home on another farmstead near Northwood, North Dakota where many projects proceeded with Miles saying …”This won’t take long.” The family usually groaned at this phrase. Miles was very grateful to be able to give his daughter, Megan, away at her wedding to Erik Innes on September 13, 2014 at the Masonic Temple in Grand Forks. Miles was a Past Master of Acacia Lodge #4 in Grand Forks, Goose River Lodge #19 in Mayville and North Star Lodge #16 in Larimore. He was Potentate of Kem Shrine in 2010 and belonged to the Director’s Staff Unit. He was a Past Patron of Acacia Chapter #12, Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, becoming a 33rd degree Scottish Rite mason in 2013. He was also a member of the York Rite. Miles is survived by his wife, Laurie, daughter Megan (Erik) Innes, Goldendale, WA and son, Alex, Northwood, ND, father-in-law, Don Miller, Northwood, ND, sisters-in-law, Sherrie (Ron) Jablinske, Moorhead, MN , Julie (Mitch) Aarsvold, New Germany, MN, Jodi (Dave) Jenson, Twin Valley, MN an uncle, Earl Christianson, Mayville, ND and aunt, Ruth Lyndaas, Everett, WA as well as many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son. Visitation: Will be 5 – 7 PM with a 6:30 PM Public Prayer Service and a 7:00 PM Masonic Service on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northwood, ND and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial Service: 2:00 PM Monday, November 17, 2014 at the Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northwood, ND.