Darwin Christopher

Darwin Christopher, age 93, of Decorah, IA died Sunday, December 30, 2012 at Wellington Place Nursing Home in Decorah, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 3, 2013 at the St. Bridget's Catholic Church at 3094-253rd Ave. Bluffton, IA.with burial in the church cemetery Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Schluter - Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, IA there will be a prayer service at 5:00p.m. there will also be visitation after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Thursday. Darwin Joseph Christopher was born on September 18, 1919, the son of Karl and Veta (Davis) Christopher, the oldest of six children in Scranton, North Dakota. Darwin attended Bluffton School #3 and high school in Burr Oak. Darwin worked for Winneshiek County before entering the service. He served as sergeant in the US Army Corps of Engineers in the Philippines from 1944-46. On February 12, 1941, he married Shirley Donlan at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, and to this union, six children were born, D. Edward, Sharon, Sandra, Tonya, Jacki and Michael. He again worked for the County until 1952. Darwin and Shirley lived in several Wisconsin and Illinois towns as he worked construction with Ryan and Schultz, along with his uncle and wife, Tom and Helen Davis. In 1956, they returned to Bluffton and started Christopher Construction, now a third generation company. He built many ponds and terraces in the local area, working with his two sons: Ed and Michael. Darwin received the Roy Schultz Soil Conservation Award. He retired in 1988 and continued to help the boys out when needed. Darwin enjoyed going to the Mississippi River to waterski and fish, canoeing, gardening, reading, flying the Cessna 150 and 172, (giving rides to all), mowing the lawns and runway, woodworking, hunting, golfing in Harmony (he had a hole in one when he was around 80 years old) playing cards with friends, going to auctions, races, sporting events and visiting with people. Above all, Darwin enjoyed giving candy to his grandchildren. He went on an Honor Flight to Washington DC on his 91st birthday. Darwin was a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton, Iowa and the Joseph B. Lund American Legion Post #299 in Mabel, MN. Darwin is survived by his wife: Shirley Christopher, Bluffton, IA. Six children: D. Edward (Sharon) Christopher, Bluffton, IA; Sharon Tweten – Henry, Bluffton, IA; Sandy Christopher, Mabel, MN; Tonya (Alan) Jolin, Phillips, WI; Jacki (Earl Lovelace) Christopher, Wabasha, MN; and Micheal (DeAnn) Christopher, Bluffton/Burr Oak, IA, along with sixteen grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. Brothers and sisters: Fred (Rosetta) Christopher, Powderville, MT; Rosemary Christopher, Cresco, IA; Karl Jr. (Diane) Christopher, Hesper, IA; and Faye (Walt) Marlow, Bluffton, IA. One sister-in-law: Victoria Christopher, Decorah, IA. Darwin was preceded in death by his parents: Karl and Veta (Davis) Christopher. Four brothers: Lawrence, Francis, Harold and Carsten Christopher. One sister in infancy. One granddaughter: Brenda Christopher.