Douglas Wayne Christner

Obituary

Douglas Wayne Christner was born March 10, 1938, in Burnett County, Wisconsin, the son of John and Gloria (Wood) Christner.  Doug grew up in Spooner, Wisconsin, where he graduated from High School.

On July 11, 1957, Doug and Catherine Kowalewski were united in marriage; three children were born to this union, Mark, Lynn, and Leanne.  

On October 21, 1978, Doug and Marlene DeKok were united in marriage on a farm near Elk River, Minnesota, where they resided at that time, along with Marlene’s children Dion, Gerald, Tammy, and Melissa.  In 1982, they moved to a farm near Buffalo Lake, they shared 18 years of marriage before Marlene passed away in 1996.  Doug eventually moved to Hector.

Right out of high school, Doug worked several years as a tool and die maker at Sunstrand Corp., Rockford, Illinois.  Thereafter, throughout his working career, Doug worked in construction; he was on the crew that built the two large silos at the Buffalo Lake Grain Elevator.  He worked at Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative for 20 years until he retired in 2006.

Doug was an avid sportsman who loved the outdoors especially hunting and fishing.  A favorite hobby of his was to make smoked sausage and fish which he would share with anyone interested.  When at family reunions you could find him at the horseshoe pits with his many sisters, brothers, and children.  He enjoyed designing and building projects from wood for friends and family, his latest project being the beautiful deck he designed and helped build for Tim and Tammy.  He enjoyed the challenge of a new project with his ideas and experience, he was willing to help anyone who could use his expertise.  Doug enjoyed reading books on various subjects, the last few years the library had a hard time finding a book he had not read.

 Early Friday morning, December 5, 2014, Doug passed away at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center, having reached the age of 76 years, 8 months, 25 days.  Blessed be his memory.   

No words seem adequate to express how much he loved and enjoyed his family.  He will be truly missed and remain in our hearts forever.

Doug is survived by his children:  Mark Christner and his wife Elizabeth of St. Cloud, MN, Lynne Shaw and her husband Jeff of Foley, MN, Leanne Merchen and her husband Randy of Chaplin, MN;

Step-children:  Rosemary Anderson of Minneapolis, MN, Dion Anderson of Hector, MN, Gerald Anderson of Bird Island, MN, Tammy Berg and her husband Tim of Fairfax, MN, Melissa Peterson and her husband Dean of Olivia, MN;

6 Grandchildren; 16 Step-Grandchildren; 9 Great-grandchildren; 9 Step-Great-grandchildren;

Siblings, Bernice Phinn of Spooner, WI,  Myrna Leef of Webster, WI , Lura Joanne Larson and her husband Dennis of Colorado Springs, CO; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gloria Christner, Wife, Marlene Christner, Great-grandchildren Athena Martin and Mason Gosewich; Siblings,  Harmon Christner,   Marvin Christner, Vyron Christner, Lucille Gefroh , Anita Soltau,  Alfred Christner, Zoe Christner Anderson.

Visitation and memorial were held for Doug Christner on Saturday, December13, 2014 at the Buffalo Lake Nursing Home from 5-8pm, with a short service at 7:30pm officiated by Don from the Catholic church.  Memories were shared among family and friends.  God rest his soul.