Bill Dean Christlieb

BILL DEAN CHRISTLIEB September 26, 1950 - August 8, 2014 Bill Dean Christlieb, age 63, a life time Osage area resident, peacefully entered the glorious presence of his Lord and Savior on Friday morning, August 8, 2014 at his home on Straight Lake north of Osage with his loved ones at his side, following a valiant battle against cancer. Bill was born on September 26, 1950 at St. Joseph's Hospital to Ray and Lydia (Pritchard) Christlieb. He attended the Osage Public Elementary School through the 6th grade and then went on to attend grades 7-12 in Park Rapids. He graduated from the Park Rapids High School with the Class of 1968. He then went on to attend the University of MN-Crookston where he studied business. It was at Crookston that Bill met and fell in love with a beautiful young nursing student named Joann Bernice Neu. They were married on November 29, 1969 in Waite Park, MN. This union was blessed with three children: Jennifer, Jeff and Trish. In the early years of their marriage, Bill and Joann made their home in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Mora, Grand Rapids and Park Rapids as Bill worked as a distribution supervisor for Holsum Bakeries. In 1981, they purchased the Osage Country Market which they operated for 31 years until their retirements in 2012. In his retirement, Bill being a man who loved to work, became a school bus driver something he really enjoyed doing these past two years in between his chemo and radiation treatments. Bill was a man of God and was an active part of the leadership at the Grace Community Church in Osage where he had served as a deacon for the past 16 years. He was also very civic minded and active in his community. He served as a member of the Osage Township Board for three years, he was a member of the Osage Lions Club for 11 years where he served as a director for three years and as treasurer for 8 years, he was a member of the Osage Sportsman Club where he had served as president, he had served on the Riverside Cemetery board for ten years and on the Dog Days Committee for 5 years. Bill loved the out doors; especially, when he could be out fishing or hunting with his family or friends. He especially enjoyed working on his land- building trails and planting deer food plots. Above all, Bill loved investing his time in the lives of his eight grandchildren who blessed his life richly. He dedicated his life to his precious wife, Joann, his three children and his eight grandchildren who he loved with all his heart. Bill will be lovingly remembered by his wife and soulmate for these 45 years, Joann; his three children: Jennifer Ann (Todd) Peters of Alexandria, Jeffrey Alan (Michelle Schave) of Menahga and Patricia Lynn (Lance) Crandall of Osage; his eight precious grandchildren: Sierra and Shelby Peters, Brandon, Brittney and Matthew Christlieb and Jordan, Josh and Haley Crandall; four siblings: Doris Holt of Blaine, MN, Don (Clarice) Christlieb of Vadnais Hts., MN, Linda (Roger) Ness of Sioux Falls, SD and Debbie (Ron) Smith of Deadwood, SD; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Royce and infant brothers Darrel and Dickie. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Friday, August 15, 2014 at the Faithbridge Church in Park Rapids with Pastor Paul McKibben and Pastor Ken Polley officiating. The organist will be: Dorothy Crook, Trumpeter will be Mark Magnuson. The soloists will be Tonja Aho who will sing "Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Broken", and Dana Johnson who will sing "I Can Only Imagine". Following lunch interment will be made at the Riverside Cemetery at Osage. Casket bearers will be: Casey Smith, Jeremy Smith, Steven Fligge, Brian Holt, Terry Holt and Marty Roles. The honorary casket bearers will be School District 309 bus drivers and garage employees. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Thursday at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home with a prayer service to be held at 7 PM and for one hour prior to the service at the Faithbridge Church. To view the video tribute or to leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com