Kristen N. Christiansen

EAST MONTPELIER - Kristen Niels Christiansen, 77, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the UVM Medical Center after a series of heart attacks.

Born on May 14, 1947, he was the son of Stanley Lee Christiansen and Joyce Rowland. Growing up on the family dairy farm, his lifelong job was caring for the calves and helping to milk and hay. He got his elementary education at local schools and attended Plainfield High School. He was a member of the Starlite 4-H Club, the Danish Brotherhood of America, Twin Valley Senior Center, and for over three-quarters of a century, a faithful member of the Old Brick Church. He sang in the choir and in recent years has been the pianist for Sunday services up until nine days before his death.

His biggest claim to fame was that he was the missing toddler found by Luvia Lafirira, the local psychic and friend of the family, as reported in the Winter 1962 Vermont Life magazine. Kris had been playing in the backyard and disappeared. A search party failed to find him, but Luvia saw him north of the farm near beaver dams where he was rescued just in time by a neighbor.

From a very young age, Kris was a voracious reader. He loved country and western, as well as classical music. As a pianist, he could read music or play by ear, as well as transpose to other keys. He liked his routines and was very disciplined. He kept close track of the news, following up with television news in the evening. He was a knowledgeable square dancer and, in his youth, participated in square dance festivals which were held at Norwich University. He was particularly successful as a card player, usually on the winning side of a game of Pinochle, though his victims would claim he was exceedingly lucky.

Perhaps most important in his life was his love for people. He was kind and compassionate, courageous and wise. Family and friends, local and distant, brought him great joy – especially canine and toddler friends.

Survivors include his brothers Andrew Perry Christiansen and his wife, Jennifer Zollner of East Montpelier and Stanley Peter Christiansen and his wife, Lilla Fowler Christiansen of Calais as well as three nieces and three nephews.

A graveside committal will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Poplar Hill Cemetery in Calais, followed by a service at the Old Brick Church in East Montpelier at 12:00 p.m. (noon). There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Twin Valley Senior Center 4583 US Rt. 2, East Montpelier, VT 05651 or the Old Brick Church PO Box 38, East Montpelier, VT 05651.