Edward Christensen

Edward Carl Christensen, 84, passed away peacefully Friday, January 9, 2026, at Miller Pointe, Mandan. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 21 at 10:30am at Bismarck Funeral Home. Burial will take place in Rutland, ND July 24, 2026.

Ed was born in Rutland, ND, on August 19, 1941, to Harry and Martha (Delaney) Christensen, joining older sister Donna and a herd of cousins who were more like siblings, growing up on the same block. He attended and graduated from Rutland School, where he played basketball and baseball, made lifelong friends, and cultivated his love of sports.

On December 28, 1964, he married the love of his life, Patricia Atherton, during a blizzard in Devils Lake, ND. Ed and Pat lived in many places across the U.S. before finally settling in Bismarck, ND, where they raised their children.

He worked as a Union laborer with Local 563 most of his adult life, until a workplace injury sidelined him and he became a professional grandpa. Making sure treats were on the menu and favorite shows and movies were queued up.

His grandchildren were his pride and joy, enjoying traveling to cheer them on whether it was a Christmas program, play, band concert, color guard performance, football, basketball, wrestling, and baseball. Eventually sharing the love for watching and cheering on Minnesota Twins, Vikings and NDSU Bison Football.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, attending Twins games, and playing Pinochle. One of his highlights was returning to his hometown of Rutland to play in the annual Anderson Pinochle Tournament.

He is survived by daughters Lori (Alan) Neer, Spicer, MN, Rachel (Jim) Oldani, Aiken, SC, son, Michael, Bismarck. Grandchildren, Melody Neer, Alan (Shelby) Neer, Zach (Cassidy) Neer, Juliana (Maddy) Blake, Kyle and Carly Koch, Melissa (Ty) Lowseth. Sisters-in-law, Sheryl James, Jacque (Jim) Wolski, Janie (Mark) Evans, Carna (Cliff) Pray, Linda Atherton and brother-in-law, Barry (Carrie) Atherton. Many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Pat, parents, Harry and Martha, parents-in-laws, Paul and Alice Atherton, sister, Donna Kupitz, brothers-in-law, Dick Kupitz, Will Atherton, Randy Atherton, and Roy James, niece, Dixie Claymore.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite high school or college activity or sport in Ed’s memory.