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Bart L Christianson

March 3, 1947 - October 31, 2023

Bart L. Christianson, Jr., 76, of Ankeny, Iowa passed away on October 31, 2023.

A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd.).

Bart was born on March 3, 1947 in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Roosevelt High School (class of 1965), Grandview Junior College (class of 1967) and Drake University (class of 1969). He was also a member of the Iowa National Guard.

Bart married his neighborhood sweetheart Nancy Wike in January of 1968 and through this union two sons (Chad and Jay) were born. The boys brought them much joy as they followed them through school activities and sporting events. Bart was so proud of his boys.

Bart started his employment in the Des Moines area at then American Republic Insurance Company, onto Farm Bureau Insurance Company, and found his home with M&M Sales where he worked for 38 years until retiring in March of 2011.

Bart loved competitive sports, starting with Beaverdale Little League, Connie Mac League, high school baseball and then college baseball. He took up racquetball at West Courts in West Des Moines, and then got the family involved with this sport at Oakmoor Racquetball Club. He enjoyed golfing on weekends with his school buddies, and after retirement you would find him on any of the Des Moines City courses Monday through Friday with his family and friends. He and Nancy spent their winters in Sun City West, AZ where he could play golf year-round. Bart had his sixth hole-in-one this past summer.

Bart had a great love for their past dogs (Maddy, Molly, Muffin and Lacy). The neighbors would be walking their dogs and he would jump off the porch to go see/pet them.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, Chad (Nikki), and Jay (Angie); grandchildren, Rylie (Zach) Eden, and Raegan; great-grandchildren, Noah, Dempsey, and Remi; and sister, Kathie (John) Jones. He was predeceased by his parents, Bart and Wilma; and youngest sister, Karen Christianson. He was surrounded by many in-laws, out-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. Bart loved his entire family very much.

Special thanks to the Ankeny EMT’s, Firemen and Police Officers for their quick response. Your kindness and respectfulness was greatly appreciated in the treatment of Bart’s health issue.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League (ARL) or American Heart Association.