Selmer Christian was born December 13, 1923 in Trail, Minnesota (MN) to parents Henry and Julia Tweite Christianson. He was baptized on October 16, 1936 at the family home by Reverend J.K. Lerohl. Godparents were Annie and Johanna (sisters). On October 6, 1940, Selmer was confirmed at Salem Luther Church by Reverend J.K. Lerohl. In 1945 on November 16, Selmer committed his life in marriage to Cecilia (Sis) Dessellier in Oklee, MN. They were married by Reverend J.K. Lerohl at the Zion Lutheran Parsonage. In 1950, they had their marriage blessed by Father K. Patnode in the St. Francis Xavier Parsonage. In 1995, Selmer and Sis celebrated 50 years of marriage. Father Duane Pribula and Reverend Rolf Wenberg officiated over the renewal of their vows.
Selmer and Sis had four children, Larry (Alice) Christianson of Osage, MN, Judy (Wendell) Webster, McIntosh, MN,Loretta (Dwight) Heuer, Fargo, ND, and Henry Christianson, Thief River Falls, MN. There are numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Selmer is the 7th child of a family of 18 children. His parents were Henry and Julia Tweite Christianson, Living sisters are, Lilly Cantwel, Hazel Rystad, Eunice Reinbold, Lorraine Cote, Lila Vad, and Bernice Mooney. Bothers are Orvin, Lawrence, Clarence, and George.
He is preceded in death by his son, Larry Christianson; grandson, John Christianson; parents, Henry and Julia Christianson; infant twin sisters, Darlene and Delores; Annie Foster, Johanna Hammer; brothers Herbert, Joe, and Gilbert; sons-in-law Charles Reitmeire and Douglas Lanctot.
During his life, Selmer held various jobs such as working in the woods. He also worked for the Railroad cutting right away for the railway at Isabella, MN, and carpentry work with Bert Reil and Ray Lindquist in which he helped build elevator seed house, and the Oklee School Home Economics building. Additionally, Selmer worked 25 plus years for Detroiter Mobile Homes in Red Lake Falls, MN as a plumber and farmed 76 acres outside of Oklee, MN until retirement. After retirement, he worked part-time for Green Thumb and the Oklee Community Center. In 1990-1991, great-granddaughter, Cassie Williams lived with Sis and Selmer for seven months while his granddaughter served in the military and was stationed overseas in Saudi, Arabia. Selmer loved how she greeted him at the door each evening asking grandpa for pie and ice cream. Caring for their great granddaughter was the best winter they had since their children had left home.
Selmer loved life and had a wonderful sense humor. He enjoyed joking with others and making them smile. He elieved that if you can't joke then life isn't worth living.
Selmer passed away at 2:20 p.m. on September 23, 2009 at age 85 years old.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, September 28, 2009 at Salem Lutheran Church, Oklee, MN with Rev. Robert Paulson officiating. Burial will follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Oklee, MN.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Oklee, MN.
Godchildren for honorary pallbearers: Vernon Christianson & Brian Christianson, accompanied y Bramp Van Culin
Back of Card Verse: His Journey has Just begun
ORGANIST: Marion Marquis
SPECIAL MUSIC: Cody & Collin Dessellier "Old Rugged Cross", "Born & "The Lord's Prayer"
CONGRGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art # and God Be With You Till We Meet Again #
CASKETBEARERS: Jim Reinbold, Ordean Rystad, Dale Cota, Robert Solien, David Christianson and Daniel Christianson
HONORARY CASKETBEARES: Selmers Godchildren: Vernon Christianson and Brian Christianson