TOMAH - Dustin R. Christner, age 34, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on January 7, 2024 in Bradenton, FL. Born in Iowa City, IA on August 27, 1989.
Dustin matriculated (against his will, I assure you) through the ranks of grade schools and middle schools in such far-away places as: Germany, Iowa, and Wisconsin. He graduated from Tomah High School in Tomah, WI (where, it is rumored, he inspired at least one teacher to pursue early retirement). There, he wrestled, played hockey, played catcher for the baseball team, and met the love of his life, and future wife, Jaden Giraud. Dustin was irreverent, hilarious, stubborn, and endearing all at once. There was nothing subtle about him, he lived fast and he lived loud, a “real handful,” in the words of his Grandmother.
Following in the footsteps of his heroes, Rodney, Robert, Richard, and, of course, the great Davy Crockett, he was truly a jack-of-all trades. He could fix anything; loved music; loved sports; golfed like a pro; was never without a current read, amassing a huge personal library; and he fished with the best of them. In fact, he would want everyone to know he even caught a hammerhead shark once. He attended the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Orlando, FL, and he loved to fix and ride his Harley Davidson motorcycles. The beaches of the Florida Gulf captivated him; he would spend hours boating or shelling along the shoreline. He was always quick to spot his favorite shell, the olive, which he would offer to his wife with a wink and a witty, “olive you.”
Dustin was the embodiment of a loving spirit. Above all, he valued his people and his doggies. He was a loyal friend, never hesitating to lend a hand or even open his home to those in need. He was a fun uncle, passing on to his nine nieces and nephews his sense of humor, sense of adventure, but not (we pray) his audacious sense of mischief. He was a devoted brother, happy to share his literary life with his siblings, always recommending and discussing the great books. He cherished his parents, forever encouraging them, particularly his mom with whom he would frequently quip, “level up Mother!” oblivious to the fact that his comings and goings caused her stress. He was an adoring husband to Jaden, having spent half his life loving and caring for her and their beloved dogs, known to him as his fur babies: Josi, Stella, Amia, and Sophia.
Dustin is survived by his wife, Jaden Christner; his parents, Rodney and Jennifer Mason; his father-in-law, Todd Giraud (Laurie); his mother-in-law, Stacy Gudbaur-Corbo (Khalil); his sister, Amber Miller (Ross); his brothers: Jordan Mason (Kelsey) and Dakota Mason (Desi); his maternal grandparents, Robert Williamson and Joy Neff; his uncles: Tim Williamson (Sarah) and Mike Williamson (Patrece); his cousins Noah, Liam, Bodie, and Zeke; and his nieces and nephews: Henry, August, William, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Theodore, Thomas, Arthur, Kinlei, and Baby Mason.
He was preceded in death by his biological father Randell H. Christner and his darling dog Josi.
Celebration of life services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington, Iowa. The family will be present to receive friends from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Cottonwood Cemetery in Wayland, Iowa at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024. A general memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent for Dustin’s family at www.jonesfh.com (http://www.jonesfh.com/).
Jones & Eden Funeral Home
