Reverend Gerard A. Christianson, died December 5, 2016 at Moorings Health Care Center, Arlington Heights, after a courageous battle with cancer. Father was born on December 9, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, to Edward Christianson and Margaret Meegan Christianson. Father Christianson attended Loyola University and Northeastern Illinois in Chicago. Before entering seminary, Father was a Math teacher and directed an alternative school for at risk students. He entered St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2007 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 2012, by the Most Reverend David J. Malloy. His first assignment was as Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Parish, Rockford and taught part-time at Boylan Central Catholic High School, Rockford. (6/2012-6/2015). He became Parochial Administrator of St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Sandwich in June, 2015 and Pastor of that parish in May, 2016. Father was also a Diocesan Consultor and Associate Master of Ceremonies for the Diocese. Father is survived by his mother and father, siblings Mary (Phillip) Bissell, Meegan (Tim) Gibbons, Edward (Beth) Christianson, Jennifer (Francisco) Rios, Kathleen Christianson and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, December 12, 2016, at 11:00AM at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church Street, Rockford. Visitation will be from 3PM-7:30PM Sunday, December 11 at the Cathedral with Rosary at 7:30PM and visitation from 9:00AM-10:45AM at the church prior to the Mass. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Winnebago,Illinois. Arrangements are being made by Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Rockford, Illinois. . A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Our Lady of Ransom Church, 8300 North Greenwood Ave., Niles, IL 60714. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Diocese of Rockford Vocations Office, 555 Colman Center Drive, P. O. Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125