Artt E. Christofferson

Artt E. Christofferson, 78, a farmer/rancher, went home to his heavenly Father, March 25, 2014, surrounded by his family in Billings of natural causes.

The family will receive friends at 7:00 P.M. Friday at the Kirkwood Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 29 at Kirkwood Memorial Chape. Interment will be in the Malta Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Elim Lutheran Church or Gideons International. Condolences may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

Artt Everette Christofferson, 78 was born November 12, 1935 to Harold and Ovedia (Solberg) Christofferson in Malta. He grew up on the family farm 18 miles Southeast of Malta in the Bennett Lake Community.

Artt's father, Harold, passed away in October of 1949 when Artt was 14. That was a very long hard winter and he and his brother, Arve, stayed home to help their mother care for the cattle. When fall came and it was time to go back to school, he did not want to be a year behind his friends. Three of his siblings were already attending Lutheran Brethren Schools in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, so he decided that was where he would like to attend high school. He enjoyed playing basketball and when he was a senior he was elected Student Body President. Upon graduation in 1954 he returned to the family farm in Malta.

He met Joan Hendrickson (she was attracted to him because of his blue suede shoes) and they were married December 21, 1956. To this union were born three children, Ross Everette, Bruce Allan and Jan DeVere. He was an active member of Elim Lutheran Church, serving as Elder for 25 years and various other boards. He was a member of Gideons and enjoyed passing out Bibles for 30 years. He also served on the Malta School Board for 6 years, Malta Hospital Board and Malta Opportunities.

He was one of the first ranchers in the community to breed Black Angus cattle. He bought his first registered cow in 1963 from the N Bar Ranch in Grass Range and continued to improve his herd for 50 years. Artt was a pioneer for seeding new varieties of wheat always taking advantage of new high yielding wheat to gain satisfaction of a good crop to put in the grain bin. Artt's father came from Oslo, Norway in 1913 homesteading where the farm is today and just recently celebrated 100 years of farming.

He is survived by his wife Joan of 57 years, sons Ross (Tami), Bruce (Barbara) and son-in-law Bret (Tonya) Christensen. Siblings, R.V. Christofferson of Havre, Arve (Marilyn) Christofferson of Bozeman and Junette (Albert) Watson of Grand Rapids, MN, brother-in-law, Les Watson of Fergus Falls, MN. Grandchildren: Brianna (Devin) Brooks, Thomas, Justin, Kelli, Carlee and Kameron Christofferson, Reese, Kasie and Calder Christensen. One great grandson: Carson Allan and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were, daughter Jan DeVere Christensen and her infant son, infant grandson Tyler Allan Christofferson, sisters, Harriet Suddeth, Elida Watson, Ann Christofferson and June Christofferson. Sister-in-law Mavis Christofferson and brother-in-law Ramie Suddeth.