Mearl Henry (Chris) Christianson, 97, of Great Falls, MT, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on June 24, 2026. He was born on September 22, 1928, to Leonard and Carrie (Jess) Christianson on the family homestead west of Havre, MT. He attended schools in Havre, MT. He joined the US Army Airforce in 1946 and served three years prior to his honorable discharge. He then attended a Refrigeration and AC tech school in Chicago, IL. He went to work for a refrigeration company in Chinook, MT until he was recalled due to the Korean conflict in 1950. He served 21 months with the USAF stationed at Malmstrom AFB, then known as East Base. Mearl worked for the Air Force in a civilian capacity, first at the Havre Radar site, then at Malmstrom AFB, with a three-year stint at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, AK, prior to his return to Malmstrom AFB, where he retired in 1985.
On April 8, 1951, he married Shirley Ann MacCann in Chinook, MT. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this year quietly at home, receiving phone calls and texts from across the country.
Mearl hunted and fished in his younger days and spent many happy days camping and boating with his family. He was an avid bowler, a passion he shared with Shirley and his children. He loved his Texas Hold’em and the camaraderie he found around the poker table. He was a long-time and current member of Elks Lodge #214.
He is survived by Shirley and their six children. James Robert (Deborah) of Fort Pierce, FL, Coleen Rae (Thomas) Balzarini of Great Falls, MT, Terry Russell (Sharry) of Wasilla, AK, Brian Roy (Anita) of Great Falls, MT, William Roger of Great Falls, MT, and Kenneth Raymond of Colstrip, MT. There are many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mearl was one of 8 children and is survived by his brother James, who resides happily in Washington with his loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Lorraine, Leonard, Mary, Frank, Dolly, and David, his daughter-in-law Stacy, and his grandson Timmy.
Being the quiet, private person Mearl was, it will not come as a surprise to those who knew him that he requested no services and hopes you will all remember him fondly as you carry on with your daily lives and in whatever memorializing way you may deem appropriate.
