Raymond Edwin Christian, 84, of Fertile, MN and Mesa, AZ, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in the comfort of his home surrounded by family and friends. Selmer Lawrence Dahle, Jr. (Ray) was born January 4, 1933 to Selmer and Jennie (Lorentzen) Dahle at Rochester, MN, the eighth of nine children. He was baptized along with his mother and 3 brothers at Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, MN on June 18, 1936. Orphaned a month later at the age of 3, he resided at the Lutheran Welfare Society in Minneapolis, MN under the name of David Dahle. Edwin and Martha Christian brought him to their home on Oct. 29, 1938. He was officially adopted by the Christians on January 29th, 1939.They changed his name to Raymond Edwin Christian. A few years later, the Christians also adopted Ray's biological brother, Roy.
Ray graduated from the Fertile High School in 1951 and attended Beloit College and the University of MN - St. Paul campus. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952-1954 where he earned Corporal status. He fought in the Korean War. After his medical disability discharge, he graduated from Aaker's Business College in Grand Forks, ND.
On July 14, 1956, Ray was united in marriage to Nancy Fritz at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waubun, MN. The ceremony was performed by her father, Pastor Charles A. Fritz, and Pastor G. Walther Tolo. They have been blessed with five children. They have resided in Fertile since their marriage and since 2008 have spent the winter months in Mesa, AZ.
Ray bought his parents' business, the Fertile Hatchery, in 1958. It evolved into Farm Service and Feed Co. He began farming in 1959, continuing until 1978 when he began to rent out his land. He purchased the GMC franchise in 1970 from Jerry Petersen, renaming it Ray's GMC. He also owned and operated an Arctic Cat and Viking snowmobile dealership. In 1976 he purchased the former John Deere building on the north side of Fertile and began Christian Motors. In 1987 he became the Sr. partner in Finley Motors, Finley, ND. Following heart surgery in 1991, he retired from the car businesses. Eventually he formed and continued to operate Christian Excavating.
Ray was always proud of his employees who went on to start their own businesses. He was happy to be reunited with a former employee, Jerome (Butch) Olson, as the foreman of the excavating business.
Ray had a love for speed, which started with an Indian Motorcycle in high school, to fast cars, snowmobiles, airplanes, 4-wheelers, boats and more. He was a licensed pilot as well as his wife, Nancy. Ray would fly with Nancy by his side as the navigator; they made a great team. His love for snowmobiles has been passed on to two generations. He was an avid hunter, loved to collect a wide variety of guns and would relax watching westerns. He is better known as Bigfoot by his friends. Even though his size was intimidating to some, he had a huge heart to help others. He loved his family and would always be heard saying "I am blessed".
Ray served on the Lake Agassiz Regional Library Board, The Fertile Flying Club Board, Finley Economic Development Council, Concordia Lutheran Church Council and many other various boards.
Ray was elected mayor of Fertile on a write-in ballot in 1996. He served 4 years before deciding not to run again. As he traveled on business or pleasure trips he always looked for possible ideas to bring back to Fertile to make it a thriving community. He was among the original group that started the Sandhill River Golf Course and a member of the golf club. In 1995 he was Co-Citizen of the Years. In 2003, he was awarded the Korean War Service Medal for his service. In 2016, he, along with his four sons, was named Outstanding alumni of Fertile-Beltrami School. Also in May, 2016, in recognition of his service in the Korean War, Ray was honored to be part of the WDAY Honor Flight to Washington DC.
Ray is survived by his wife, Nancy, one daughter, Cynthia (Steven) Hibbard of Ocala, Florida; four sons: Todd (Carolyn) of Fertile, Dwight (Kari) of Union Lake, Erskine, Stuart (Penny) of Union Lake, Erskine, Karl (Kelsey) of Finley, N.D.; fourteen grandchildren: Erin (John) Beitelspacher, Allison, Angela and Christopher Christian; Logan, Kora and Josie Christian; Kalie, Andrea, Mariah and Natalie Christian; Jonathan Hibbard; Madison and Evan Christian; three great-grandchildren, Henry, Lucy and Ella Beitelspacher; two brothers: Lawrence (Helen) Dahle of Tempe, AZ, Eugene (Kathleen) Johnson, White Bear Lake, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his birth parents, Selmer and Jennie Dahle and the only parents he ever knew, Edwin and Martha Christian; two sisters: Sue (Vernon) Johnson and Katherine (Roy) Vaughn; four brothers: Roy Christian, Charles Dahle, George Dahle and Gordon Tellijohn; one grandson, David Hibbard, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN on Wednesday, March 22nd at 11:00 a.m.
Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, March 21st at the Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Burial will be in the East Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
A memorial service will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church Chapel, Mesa, AZ on Friday, March 17th at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, we would like to continue Ray's legacy of helping others. Any memorials will be given to his favorite charities and organizations: Concordia Lutheran Church, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Northland Rescue Mission, Mayo Clinic Cardiac Research and people in need. He was loved.
Ray graduated from the Fertile High School in 1951 and attended Beloit College and the University of MN - St. Paul campus. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952-1954 where he earned Corporal status. He fought in the Korean War. After his medical disability discharge, he graduated from Aaker's Business College in Grand Forks, ND.
On July 14, 1956, Ray was united in marriage to Nancy Fritz at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waubun, MN. The ceremony was performed by her father, Pastor Charles A. Fritz, and Pastor G. Walther Tolo. They have been blessed with five children. They have resided in Fertile since their marriage and since 2008 have spent the winter months in Mesa, AZ.
Ray bought his parents' business, the Fertile Hatchery, in 1958. It evolved into Farm Service and Feed Co. He began farming in 1959, continuing until 1978 when he began to rent out his land. He purchased the GMC franchise in 1970 from Jerry Petersen, renaming it Ray's GMC. He also owned and operated an Arctic Cat and Viking snowmobile dealership. In 1976 he purchased the former John Deere building on the north side of Fertile and began Christian Motors. In 1987 he became the Sr. partner in Finley Motors, Finley, ND. Following heart surgery in 1991, he retired from the car businesses. Eventually he formed and continued to operate Christian Excavating.
Ray was always proud of his employees who went on to start their own businesses. He was happy to be reunited with a former employee, Jerome (Butch) Olson, as the foreman of the excavating business.
Ray had a love for speed, which started with an Indian Motorcycle in high school, to fast cars, snowmobiles, airplanes, 4-wheelers, boats and more. He was a licensed pilot as well as his wife, Nancy. Ray would fly with Nancy by his side as the navigator; they made a great team. His love for snowmobiles has been passed on to two generations. He was an avid hunter, loved to collect a wide variety of guns and would relax watching westerns. He is better known as Bigfoot by his friends. Even though his size was intimidating to some, he had a huge heart to help others. He loved his family and would always be heard saying "I am blessed".
Ray served on the Lake Agassiz Regional Library Board, The Fertile Flying Club Board, Finley Economic Development Council, Concordia Lutheran Church Council and many other various boards.
Ray was elected mayor of Fertile on a write-in ballot in 1996. He served 4 years before deciding not to run again. As he traveled on business or pleasure trips he always looked for possible ideas to bring back to Fertile to make it a thriving community. He was among the original group that started the Sandhill River Golf Course and a member of the golf club. In 1995 he was Co-Citizen of the Years. In 2003, he was awarded the Korean War Service Medal for his service. In 2016, he, along with his four sons, was named Outstanding alumni of Fertile-Beltrami School. Also in May, 2016, in recognition of his service in the Korean War, Ray was honored to be part of the WDAY Honor Flight to Washington DC.
Ray is survived by his wife, Nancy, one daughter, Cynthia (Steven) Hibbard of Ocala, Florida; four sons: Todd (Carolyn) of Fertile, Dwight (Kari) of Union Lake, Erskine, Stuart (Penny) of Union Lake, Erskine, Karl (Kelsey) of Finley, N.D.; fourteen grandchildren: Erin (John) Beitelspacher, Allison, Angela and Christopher Christian; Logan, Kora and Josie Christian; Kalie, Andrea, Mariah and Natalie Christian; Jonathan Hibbard; Madison and Evan Christian; three great-grandchildren, Henry, Lucy and Ella Beitelspacher; two brothers: Lawrence (Helen) Dahle of Tempe, AZ, Eugene (Kathleen) Johnson, White Bear Lake, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his birth parents, Selmer and Jennie Dahle and the only parents he ever knew, Edwin and Martha Christian; two sisters: Sue (Vernon) Johnson and Katherine (Roy) Vaughn; four brothers: Roy Christian, Charles Dahle, George Dahle and Gordon Tellijohn; one grandson, David Hibbard, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN on Wednesday, March 22nd at 11:00 a.m.
Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, March 21st at the Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Burial will be in the East Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
A memorial service will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church Chapel, Mesa, AZ on Friday, March 17th at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, we would like to continue Ray's legacy of helping others. Any memorials will be given to his favorite charities and organizations: Concordia Lutheran Church, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Northland Rescue Mission, Mayo Clinic Cardiac Research and people in need. He was loved.
Raymond Edwin Christian, 84, of Fertile, MN and Mesa, AZ, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in the comfort of his home surrounded by family and friends. Selmer Lawrence Dahle, Jr. (Ray) was born January 4, 1933 to Selmer and Jennie (Lorentzen) Dahle at Rochester, MN, the eighth of nine children. He was baptized along with his mother and 3 brothers at Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, MN on June 18, 1936. Orphaned a month later at the age of 3, he resided at the Lutheran Welfare Society in Minneapolis, MN under the name of David Dahle. Edwin and Martha Christian brought him to their home on Oct. 29, 1938. He was officially adopted by the Christians on January 29th, 1939.They changed his name to Raymond Edwin Christian. A few years later, the Christians also adopted Ray's biological brother, Roy.
Ray graduated from the Fertile High School in 1951 and attended Beloit College and the University of MN - St. Paul campus. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952-1954 where he earned Corporal status. He fought in the Korean War. After his medical disability discharge, he graduated from Aaker's Business College in Grand Forks, ND.
On July 14, 1956, Ray was united in marriage to Nancy Fritz at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waubun, MN. The ceremony was performed by her father, Pastor Charles A. Fritz, and Pastor G. Walther Tolo. They have been blessed with five children. They have resided in Fertile since their marriage and since 2008 have spent the winter months in Mesa, AZ.
Ray bought his parents' business, the Fertile Hatchery, in 1958. It evolved into Farm Service and Feed Co. He began farming in 1959, continuing until 1978 when he began to rent out his land. He purchased the GMC franchise in 1970 from Jerry Petersen, renaming it Ray's GMC. He also owned and operated an Arctic Cat and Viking snowmobile dealership. In 1976 he purchased the former John Deere building on the north side of Fertile and began Christian Motors. In 1987 he became the Sr. partner in Finley Motors, Finley, ND. Following heart surgery in 1991, he retired from the car businesses. Eventually he formed and continued to operate Christian Excavating.
Ray was always proud of his employees who went on to start their own businesses. He was happy to be reunited with a former employee, Jerome (Butch) Olson, as the foreman of the excavating business.
Ray had a love for speed, which started with an Indian Motorcycle in high school, to fast cars, snowmobiles, airplanes, 4-wheelers, boats and more. He was a licensed pilot as well as his wife, Nancy. Ray would fly with Nancy by his side as the navigator; they made a great team. His love for snowmobiles has been passed on to two generations. He was an avid hunter, loved to collect a wide variety of guns and would relax watching westerns. He is better known as Bigfoot by his friends. Even though his size was intimidating to some, he had a huge heart to help others. He loved his family and would always be heard saying "I am blessed".
Ray served on the Lake Agassiz Regional Library Board, The Fertile Flying Club Board, Finley Economic Development Council, Concordia Lutheran Church Council and many other various boards.
Ray was elected mayor of Fertile on a write-in ballot in 1996. He served 4 years before deciding not to run again. As he traveled on business or pleasure trips he always looked for possible ideas to bring back to Fertile to make it a thriving community. He was among the original group that started the Sandhill River Golf Course and a member of the golf club. In 1995 he was Co-Citizen of the Years. In 2003, he was awarded the Korean War Service Medal for his service. In 2016, he, along with his four sons, was named Outstanding alumni of Fertile-Beltrami School. Also in May, 2016, in recognition of his service in the Korean War, Ray was honored to be part of the WDAY Honor Flight to Washington DC.
Ray is survived by his wife, Nancy, one daughter, Cynthia (Steven) Hibbard of Ocala, Florida; four sons: Todd (Carolyn) of Fertile, Dwight (Kari) of Union Lake, Erskine, Stuart (Penny) of Union Lake, Erskine, Karl (Kelsey) of Finley, N.D.; fourteen grandchildren: Erin (John) Beitelspacher, Allison, Angela and Christopher Christian; Logan, Kora and Josie Christian; Kalie, Andrea, Mariah and Natalie Christian; Jonathan Hibbard; Madison and Evan Christian; three great-grandchildren, Henry, Lucy and Ella Beitelspacher; two brothers: Lawrence (Helen) Dahle of Tempe, AZ, Eugene (Kathleen) Johnson, White Bear Lake, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his birth parents, Selmer and Jennie Dahle and the only parents he ever knew, Edwin and Martha Christian; two sisters: Sue (Vernon) Johnson and Katherine (Roy) Vaughn; four brothers: Roy Christian, Charles Dahle, George Dahle and Gordon Tellijohn; one grandson, David Hibbard, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN on Wednesday, March 22nd at 11:00 a.m.
Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, March 21st at the Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Burial will be in the East Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
A memorial service will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church Chapel, Mesa, AZ on Friday, March 17th at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, we would like to continue Ray's legacy of helping others. Any memorials will be given to his favorite charities and organizations: Concordia Lutheran Church, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Northland Rescue Mission, Mayo Clinic Cardiac Research and people in need. He was loved.
Ray graduated from the Fertile High School in 1951 and attended Beloit College and the University of MN - St. Paul campus. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952-1954 where he earned Corporal status. He fought in the Korean War. After his medical disability discharge, he graduated from Aaker's Business College in Grand Forks, ND.
On July 14, 1956, Ray was united in marriage to Nancy Fritz at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waubun, MN. The ceremony was performed by her father, Pastor Charles A. Fritz, and Pastor G. Walther Tolo. They have been blessed with five children. They have resided in Fertile since their marriage and since 2008 have spent the winter months in Mesa, AZ.
Ray bought his parents' business, the Fertile Hatchery, in 1958. It evolved into Farm Service and Feed Co. He began farming in 1959, continuing until 1978 when he began to rent out his land. He purchased the GMC franchise in 1970 from Jerry Petersen, renaming it Ray's GMC. He also owned and operated an Arctic Cat and Viking snowmobile dealership. In 1976 he purchased the former John Deere building on the north side of Fertile and began Christian Motors. In 1987 he became the Sr. partner in Finley Motors, Finley, ND. Following heart surgery in 1991, he retired from the car businesses. Eventually he formed and continued to operate Christian Excavating.
Ray was always proud of his employees who went on to start their own businesses. He was happy to be reunited with a former employee, Jerome (Butch) Olson, as the foreman of the excavating business.
Ray had a love for speed, which started with an Indian Motorcycle in high school, to fast cars, snowmobiles, airplanes, 4-wheelers, boats and more. He was a licensed pilot as well as his wife, Nancy. Ray would fly with Nancy by his side as the navigator; they made a great team. His love for snowmobiles has been passed on to two generations. He was an avid hunter, loved to collect a wide variety of guns and would relax watching westerns. He is better known as Bigfoot by his friends. Even though his size was intimidating to some, he had a huge heart to help others. He loved his family and would always be heard saying "I am blessed".
Ray served on the Lake Agassiz Regional Library Board, The Fertile Flying Club Board, Finley Economic Development Council, Concordia Lutheran Church Council and many other various boards.
Ray was elected mayor of Fertile on a write-in ballot in 1996. He served 4 years before deciding not to run again. As he traveled on business or pleasure trips he always looked for possible ideas to bring back to Fertile to make it a thriving community. He was among the original group that started the Sandhill River Golf Course and a member of the golf club. In 1995 he was Co-Citizen of the Years. In 2003, he was awarded the Korean War Service Medal for his service. In 2016, he, along with his four sons, was named Outstanding alumni of Fertile-Beltrami School. Also in May, 2016, in recognition of his service in the Korean War, Ray was honored to be part of the WDAY Honor Flight to Washington DC.
Ray is survived by his wife, Nancy, one daughter, Cynthia (Steven) Hibbard of Ocala, Florida; four sons: Todd (Carolyn) of Fertile, Dwight (Kari) of Union Lake, Erskine, Stuart (Penny) of Union Lake, Erskine, Karl (Kelsey) of Finley, N.D.; fourteen grandchildren: Erin (John) Beitelspacher, Allison, Angela and Christopher Christian; Logan, Kora and Josie Christian; Kalie, Andrea, Mariah and Natalie Christian; Jonathan Hibbard; Madison and Evan Christian; three great-grandchildren, Henry, Lucy and Ella Beitelspacher; two brothers: Lawrence (Helen) Dahle of Tempe, AZ, Eugene (Kathleen) Johnson, White Bear Lake, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his birth parents, Selmer and Jennie Dahle and the only parents he ever knew, Edwin and Martha Christian; two sisters: Sue (Vernon) Johnson and Katherine (Roy) Vaughn; four brothers: Roy Christian, Charles Dahle, George Dahle and Gordon Tellijohn; one grandson, David Hibbard, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN on Wednesday, March 22nd at 11:00 a.m.
Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, March 21st at the Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Burial will be in the East Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
A memorial service will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church Chapel, Mesa, AZ on Friday, March 17th at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, we would like to continue Ray's legacy of helping others. Any memorials will be given to his favorite charities and organizations: Concordia Lutheran Church, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Northland Rescue Mission, Mayo Clinic Cardiac Research and people in need. He was loved.
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