Les Christian, age 89 of Bottineau, passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at a Bismarck hospital.  A private family service will be held.

Leslie Ervin Christian, a son of Leslie C. and Florence (Cameron) Christian, was born on May 7, 1932 in Lawton, ND.  He was raised there and graduated from Lawton High School. On November 25, 1952 he entered the US Army.  He served in Korea and received his Honorable Discharge on October 28, 1954.  On March 12, 1955 he married Lorraine Herbel in Edmore, ND.  He earned his Bachelors of Science Degree from Mayville State University and his Masters Degree from the University ND.  They moved to Westby, MT in 1957 where Les taught and coached men's basketball and was named Regional Coach of the Year.  In 1960 they moved to Baker, MT where he taught for one year and then moved back to Westby where Les was hired as the School Superintendent.  They moved to Bottineau in 1966 and Les became the Principal at Bottineau High School. They lived in town for a few years, before moving to the Lake Louise Ranch in Roland Township not far from Lake Metigoshe.  Les retired in 1993 and in 2000, they moved back into Bottineau.

Les was a member of the Methodist Church in Bottineau and later the United Parish. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and also a member of the American Legion.  He served on the Bottineau Chamber of Commerce, the North Dakota High School Activities Association, the North Central Association State Committee and the North Dakota Secondary School Principal Association.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lorraine of Bottineau; son, Reggie Christian and his wife, Julie, of Bismarck; daughter, Sherri Kegley of Powell, WY; 4 grandchildren: Zac (Erin) Christian, Bismarck, Jennifer Kegley, Minot, Alison (Ryan) Smith of Hazen, and Carly Christian of Bismarck, six great-grandchildren and one brother, Claude (Eleanor) Christian of Douglas, WY.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials by given in Les' name to the organization of their choosing.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net .