George Duane Christiansen

Christiansen, George Duane "Opa" "Mr. C" 93, of St. Petersburg passed away June 17, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Edna Christiansen; wife, Georgia; brother, Don, who died in the Korean War; sister, Gwen; and his companion, Sherry Powell. Duane is survived by his children, Michael Christiansen (Melissa), Deborah Buckley, Mary Echternacht (Richard), and Linda Christiansen (Ben); adopted daughter, Tracy Buckley (Mark); grandchildren, Deain Miller (Bob), Dain Buckley, Ava, Kim Klett (Chris), and Richard Echternacht (Karina); great-grandchildren, Brennan Schombs, Mila, Kellan, and Cooper Miller, Alex, Shelby, and Christian Klett, Heather Echternacht, and Annabell King; sister-in-law, Joyce Austin Lambretch, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his cat, Minnie. Duane was a Navy veteran of WWII during which time he earned the Purple Heart. Prior to his retirement from the Boy Scouts of America as a Scout Executive, he was awarded the Order of the Arrow; he then retired from Florida Power. Duane was also a security guard at Placido Bayou. He volunteered as a docent at the Florida International Museum. He was a Mason, member of the Mayflower Society through Stephen Hopkins, as well as a member of the Daniel Boone Society. Duane's favorite activities included traveling, visiting Disney as an annual pass holder/pin trader; he enjoyed painting and white water rafting on his 80th birthday. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Duane's name to Pet Pal or Friends of Strays. There will be a visitation on Saturday, June 24th from 1pm - 2pm with funeral service at 2pm; both at Northeast Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg. Interment will take place in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, IA.