Karl Christiansen

Karl Christiansen, brother of Judy (Charles) McDonald,  sailed to the "China Sea" Saturday, June 9, 2007. He was 75.

Memorial services were Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, at 4 p.m. at the Sister Bay Cemetery.

Karl was born June 15, 1931, to Jake and Bertha Christiansen.

After graduating from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., he entered the Army in Fort Riley, Kan.

Dec. 5, 1953, he married Shirley Eide. Together they raised six children.

During these years he received a Master's of Art Education degree from the University of Minnesota, as well as a master's degree in fine arts from the University of Iowa. He taught art at Alexandria, Minn., High School for two years, followed by a position at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he started the department for pottery. He was a potter and teacher at the Art Gallery in Davenport for many years.

Karl was well-known for his hand-thrown work in the Midwest, as a number of Sister Bay potters can attest to.

Each day he confronted friends and family with the same question: "What are we doing for fun today?" His passions were numerous: sailing, flying kites, collecting trees for future building projects in his beloved Door County. He was well-read in religion, geology and history and discussed these issues with never-ending fervor.

We will miss the many forms of joy he brought into our lives -- especially when there is a good wind.