Don Christ

Donald Christ was born November 24, 1923 in Lake Park, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Ethel Rowe Christ. He graduated in 1943 from the Lake Park Consolidated School, where he was active in band, music and baseball. In 1946, Don enlisted in the United States Army and served in the 35th Infantry. He was honorably discharged in 1948. On November 26, 1950, Don was united in marriage to Rosalind Hammer. Don was a farmer his entire life and lived in Lake Park and Round Lake before moving to Sioux Valley in 1961. He was a member of the Lake Park United Methodist Church, Sioux Valley American Legion, and the Lakefield Hanson-Ward VFW Post 4743. Throughout Don's years, he sold seed corn, was a bulk truck driver for Sioux Valley Creamery, worked many years at Sioux Valley Log Cabin and Okoboji View Golf Course. He also spent time chopping silage with Kevin Zinn and picking rock with Gordon Fischer. Don enjoyed all the bowling alley card players, golf, bowling, living in the country and his church family. He loved music, even Lawrence Welk and polka music. Don enjoyed trips to Indy 500 with his friend, Jack Paul, sports, singing and airplanes too. Nephews, Melvin Hammer and Leslie M. Hammer shared their life with Don as they were growing up. Don loved to tease and he took one day at a time, never taking anything too seriously. Don passed away March 13, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Center in Jackson, Minnesota at eighty-seven years of age. Don is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Rosalind; two sisters, Muriel Christ Kneller of Des Moines, Iowa and Arlene Christ McLarnan of Surprize, Arizona; nephew, Melvin Hammer; many nieces and nephews and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Ethel Christ; grandparents; brothers-in-law, Dale Kneller and Paul McLarnan; nephews, Wendell Kneller and Leslie M. Hammer; step-father, Lonnie Smith; step-brother, Wayne Smith; step-sister, Evelyn Smith Hoien.