Jesse Duane Christiansen, 85, died September 21, 2009 at Colmery-O'Neil V. A. Medical Center, Topeka, Kansas. He was born on November 20, 1923 in Barton County, Kansas, the son of Ralph A. and Elsie Ewing Christiansen. On December 18, 1951 he married Imogene Nolte at Raton, New Mexico. She survives. Jesse was a retired oilfied construction worker. He had worked for Tregallas, A C Trucking and Niedens Construction, all of Great Bend. He was a lifetime resident of Barton County. Jesse was a World War II veteran serving with the United States Marine Corp in the Second Armoured Amphibious Battalion. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Great Bend, Kansas. Survivors include his wife Imogene, of the home; four daughters, Mary Ulrich and husband Wayne of Russell, Kansas; Joan Klein of Topeka, Kansas, Dana Cheney and husband Greg of Shawnee, Kansas and Kim Christiansen and husband Stan Light of Topeka, Kansas; on brother, Gerald Christiansen of Hoisington, Kansas; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Jesse was preceded in death by four brothers, four sisters and one granddaughter. A memorial service will be on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Great Bend, Kansas with the Reverend Tom Sheldon officiating. A private family inurnment will be at Lakin-Commanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood, Kansas with Military Rites conducted by the United States Marine Corp Honor Guard. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.