Patricia "Pat" Ann Christianson

Patricia "Pat" Christianson passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in Edmonds, Washington on February 14th, 2023.

She is survived by: Her daughter Kim Christianson of Puget Island, Washington. Granddaughter Kristin Iacono, her husband Mike and daughters Isabella and Athena of Silver City, New Mexico. Her Son Vic Christianson in Zadar, Croatia. Her Son Ron Christianson and his wife Vicky of Shoreline, Washington. Grandson Andrew Christianson and his fiancé Anna Ogilvie in Cleveland, Ohio, and Grandson Niko Christianson of Shoreline, when not in Spokane at Gonzaga University. Her stepsisters Betsy Ward–Thompson in Hillsboro, Oregon and Joni Stettner in Watsonville, California. Her foreign exchange son from Germany Jorg Mehlig, his wife Ilka and daughters Meike and Merle in Wolfsburg.

Pat was preceded in death by her awesome husband of 59 years, "Chris," and her beautiful granddaughter Elisa Kaye.

Pat was born August 4th, 1931, in Laurel Montana to Elinor Herbert. She was raised by John Ward of Tecumseh, Nebraska and her mom while growing up throughout the west from Montana to the coast due to John's work for the railroad. She ultimately graduated from Laurel High School in Montana. Mom often liked to comment on how she enjoyed baseball in high school and that she was also faster than all of the boys in track. She liked to add that she was a cheerleader too.

She studied at a local business school in Montana after high school and soon moved to Seattle to begin her career. Her first job in the city was located at an office on Lake Union with Cecil Solly – a radio and TV host for gardening in the early 50's. She was featured in a photo in a Seattle Times article on gardening.

Pat was introduced to the love of her life, William "Chris or Doc" Christianson, by Ann and Van VanNortwick at a musical in Seattle. Doc was starting his dental career at the time in Mountlake Terrace after college at the University of Washington. Their romance took off from there.

They married August 28th, 1954 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill in Seattle with a honeymoon in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia.

They initially settled on the northside of Lake Union in Seattle, but in 1955 they jumped on the opportunity to move to Cathlamet for Chris to set up his dental practice in a small-town setting. They raised their 3 children, Kim, Vic and Ron there as well as sheep, horses, cows, dogs, cats and even chickens.

Pat was actively involved in volunteering in the schools, often teaching dental hygiene to the younger grades. She was honored as mom of the year in 1975 by the Girls Club. Pat and Chris did their best to attend every school and family activity you could imagine. Pat was the driver for her kids for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, camps, swim lessons, YMCA, bowling teams and grade school and high school sports and events. If her kids were part of something she was there.

She was quietly very proud of being one of the primary volunteers that worked to establish the existing outdoor pool in Cathlamet. Pat was involved in the Cathlamet Little Theater, PTA, Golf at Skyline, Bridge Club, and loved her time with her bowling team with Dottie McFarland, Wanda McDaniels and Nova McNally.

As well as working at home Pat worked for many years as a legal secretary for George Hanigan and could type faster than anyone you have ever met.

Pat was a loving wife, mom, grandmother and great grandmother who greatly enjoyed visits and calls from family and was not shy about bragging about her family.

She was an artist who loved to paint and work with stained glass as well as create in other mediums. At one time she shared ownership in a gallery called the Settlement in Cathlamet with Ruthie Doumit. After moving to Coupeville Pat was very involved with the Coupeville Art Center, later establishing a scholarship fund there in the name of her late granddaughter Elisa.

I don't think you could emphasize enough that Chris and Pat were beautiful dance partners. When you watched them dance you could not help but smile.

After retiring Chris and Pat settled in Coupeville Washington and also spent time wintering in Wellton, Arizona where they met new friends.

After Chris's passing 9 years ago Pat moved to Burlington Washington as she transitioned to assisted living and later memory care.

Our family's sincere thanks to the wonderful staff at Prestige of Edmonds as well as Swedish in Issaquah for their compassionate care over the past 3 plus months.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Charlotte House http://www.stjamesfc.org/The-Charlotte-House.html

Location and time for service to be determined.

- Paid Obituary -