Charles A. Crist

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the First English Lutheran Church in Dorset, MN with Rev. Chris Davis officiating.VISITATION : 5-8 P.M. Friday, November 13, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids.INTERMENT : Dudley Memorial Cemetery near Dorset, MN.SURVIVORS : Charles will be lovingly remembered by his precious wife, Cheryl of Park Rapids; his three sons: Wayde (Kimberly) Crist of Bagley, MN, Berry (Leah) Crist of Park Rapids, Kyle (Jane) Crist of Bagley; his daughter, Holly (Taylor) Schlank of Grand Forks, ND; his nine beloved grandchildren: Jacob (Alicia) Zachary, Joshua, Anna, Max, Mason, Alison, Sierra and Emma; two great grandchildren: Wyatt and Cheyenne; his ten brothers and sisters: Renee (Ervin) Dudley of Nevis, Phillip (Rita) Crist of Helena, MT, Adrian Crist of Park Rapids, Elton (Crystal) Crist of Challis, ID, Carolyn Olson of Dorset, MN, Larry Crist of Huntsville, TX, Phylis Cantrell of Horn Lake, MS, Marvin Crist of Lawton, OK, Richard (Linda) Crist of Las Vegas, NV and James (Lisa) Crist of Chamberlain, MN as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. CHARLES ALBERT CRIST November 25, 1944 " November 10, 2009 Charles Albert Crist, age 64, a lifelong Park Rapids, MN area resident, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 with his loved ones at his side following a courageous battle against cancer. Charles was born on November 25, 1944 in Park Rapids to Philip and Emma (Zimmerman) Crist. He attended country school near his home in Clover Township through the eighth grade. Charles went on to attend high school in Park Rapids, graduating with the Class of 1963. Following his graduation from high school, he ventured to Grand Forks, North Dakota where he began working in construction. On September 27, 1965, Charles entered the United States Army where he proudly served his country in Germany until his honorable discharge in September of 1967. On November 23, 1968, he was united in marriage to the best looking girl in Hubbard Co, Cheryl Marie Booge at the First English Lutheran Church in Dorset. This union was blessed with four children: Wayde, Berry, Kyle and Holly. Charles resumed his career in construction, working primarily in sewer and water construction for many years. In 1983, Charles began a new career working for the Minnesota DNR Fish and Wildlife in Park Rapids. In 1996, he transferred to the DNR Fisheries construction crew where he spent the next 11 years working throughout the State of MN until his retirement in July 2007. Since 1975 Charles has also been a state fire warden. Charles loved the out of doors. He especially enjoyed hunting with his family. For many years his talents at processing meat won him much acclaim; especially for the delicious venison sausage and jerky he made. Above all, Charles devoted his life to his wife, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who he loved with all his heart. Charles will be lovingly remembered by his precious wife, Cheryl of Park Rapids; his three sons: Wayde (Kimberly) Crist of Bagley, MN, Berry (Leah) Crist of Park Rapids, Kyle (Jane) Crist of Bagley; his daughter, Holly (Taylor) Schlank of Grand Forks, ND; his nine beloved grandchildren: Jacob (Alicia) Zachary, Joshua, Anna, Max, Mason, Alison, Sierra and Emma; two great grandchildren: Wyatt and Cheyenne; his ten brothers and sisters: Renee (Ervin) Dudley of Nevis, Phillip (Rita) Crist of Helena, MT, Adrian Crist of Park Rapids, Elton (Crystal) Crist of Challis, ID, Carolyn Olson of Dorset, MN, Larry Crist of Huntsville, TX, Phylis Cantrell of Horn Lake, MS, Marvin Crist of Lawton, OK, Richard (Linda) Crist of Las Vegas, NV and James (Lisa) Crist of Chamberlain, MN as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; l brother, Allan and l sister, Vivian. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the First English Lutheran Church in Dorset with the Reverend Chris Davis officiating. Congregational hymns will be: "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art" and "I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus" with organ accompaniment by Lila Kalish. The casket bearers will be grandsons Jacob, Zachary, Joshua, Mason, nephew Jon Kimball and friend Tim Schmid. The honorary casket bearers will be grandchildren Alison, Sierra, Emma, Anna, Max and great-grandchildren Wyatt and Cheyenne. Interment will be made in the Dudley Memorial Cemetery near Dorset, MN. Military honors will be conducted by the Star of the North Marine Corps League under the command of David Free. The Army anthem and Taps will be played by Ray Vaadeland. Following the service, the First English Lutheran Church will host a luncheon for all. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Friday at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.