Chris was born on Feb. 19, 1980, to his parents David Carroll Maland and Nona Lynn Maland (Wagner) in Blue Earth, Minn. He has one brother, Jacob Wagner Maland. Chris graduated from Fairmont High School in 1999 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in June of that year. Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Metropolitan State University in 2012.

While in the Air Force, Chris served for six years as a Security Forces Journeyman. He received many awards and honors, including the Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the NATO Medal.

Chris moved to serve through the State Department and was recently honored for 15 years of service with the Federal Government. While with the State Department, he was a K9 handler with his canine partner, Ben serving executives in the U.S. Government. In 2001, Chris served his country at the Pentagon as active security on 9/11.

After completing the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, he was stationed in Texas as a Customs and Border Patrol Agent. He served there for two years. In 2019, he transferred to Newport, Vt., where he served again as a Border Patrol Agent, K9 Agent, and a member of the Mobile Rescue Team. Throughout his career, he was an exceptional professional.

Chris is survived by his father, David Maland (Rhonda); his mother, Nona Larson (Tom); brother, Jacob Maland (Tara); nephews, Ryker, and Jace; niece, Hailey; and his fiancée, Rosanne Frechette, and family; uncles and aunts, Portia Brandsoy (Dale), Chuck Maland (Nancy), Beth Brill (Elizabeth), Joan Mussa (Mohammed), Jane Maland Cady (Dan), Paula Wood (Steven), Loren Wagner and Darin Wagner (Eva); cousins, Krista, Mara, Anna, Michael, JT, Matthew, Charles, Joshua, Grace, Sara, Maiya, Anya, Jack, Cassia, Stephanie, Brandon, Krista, Emily, Mason, Ashley, and Kurtis.

Chris was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harlan Aldeen Maland (1922-1992), Dorothy Maude Maland (Black) (1925-2024), Albert Paul Wagner (1925-2013), and Barbara Ann Wagner (Roe) (1933-1994).

Chris loved the outdoors and was an avid camper, hiker, hunter, and mountain and rock climber.

David Christopher Maland proudly served his country and leaves behind a legacy of honor and sacrifice. We are heartbroken to say goodbye.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel, 6527 Portland Avenue South, in Richfield, Minn. David Christopher Maland will be laid to rest at 1 p.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with full military honors.

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