Jim Christiansen

James “Jim” Christiansen, 79 of Hurley, passed away on September 15, 2023 at the Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at St. Christina’s Catholic Church, Parker. Burial will be 2:00 PM at the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery, Sioux Falls. Visitation will begin at 6:30 PM Tuesday, September 19 at the church with a Wake Service and Rosary beginning at 7:00 PM. The service will be broadcasted at https://www.facebook.com/HofmeisterJonesFuneralHome . Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Jim Christiansen was born April 8, 1944 to John and Mary (Johnson) Christiansen in Miller, SD.  There, in the warmth and security of a nurturing home with his siblings Thomas, Joel, Marie, Dale and Ruth, was sown the seeds that would flower into a life of love and service.

Jim attended Miller High School and then SDSU. There he, with his brother Tom, worked as custodian at the Newman Center during the college years. He enjoyed those years and with a degree in range management he was ready to step into the full-time work force.  While at SDSU, Jim participated in the ROTC and in 1968 entered the army as an officer.  He served in Vietnam as an advisor to the Vietnamese Military Army.  His experience in Vietnam truly deepened his desire to be of service to God’s people.

Near the end of his term in Vietnam, Jim was called to be a military escort for a friend of his who was killed in Vietnam. After being discharged he worked for several years putting his range management degree to use working for a farmer in the Miller area, until one day he heard God’s call to the priesthood. He entered the Maryknoll Fathers, a missionary congregation. After ordination in 1981 he served the people of the Peru area for 15 years, studying not only Spanish but the native language of the Aymara people.

After much discernment, Jim felt called to the next chapter of his life, and asked to be laicized.  Jim married Sheila McGee in 1998.  They moved to Kansas City and he worked as a project manager for the CFCA (Christian Foundation for Children and Aging).  He was able to travel to India and Central America to oversee the programs for children and aging in the overseas missions.  Jim also served as administrator of St. Thomas Moore Parish and School in Kansas City Missouri.

In 2008, a friend of his, a missionary priest in Mexico, called and said he needed some help in his mission and use some “old” missionaries to help out. Jim and Sheila moved to Mexico and helped form basic Christian communities and Bible studies.   Jim loved the people in every place he served.  In him, they truly felt God’s love.

After spending 5 years in Mexico, Jim and Sheila retired to Hurley SD to be closer to family.  Jim spent time volunteering at his parish, for the Parker senior group, delivering Meals on Wheels, working at The Banquet, and giving of himself wherever needed.  He loved to spend time with his tractors, fixing them up and riding in parades and participating in tractor pulls.  He loved to build things and helped many family and friends with their projects.  He was an avid supporter of his nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Jim’s peaceful presence and humble ways will be remembered by all he served.

Jim is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sheila; siblings Tom (Karen) of Hurley, Joel (Connie) of St. Lawrence SD, Marie Trowbridge of Huron SD, Dale of St. Lawrence SD and Ruth (Rick) Lindgren of San Antonio TX, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and family and friends around the world.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Christiansen, sisters-in-law Mary Lou Christiansen, Ruth Christiansen, brother-in-law Ivan Trowbridge, and brother-in-law John McGee.