Obit: Darst, Christie A. (1940 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Darst, Rodesiler, Zaininger, Eddy, Mac Donald, Mathews, Koenig, Jury, Bohac, Hagen, Hallgren, Laufenberg

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) July 15, 2009

Darst, Christie A. (7 April 1940 – 8 July 2009)

Christie A. Darst, 69, of McFarland and formerly of Hixton died Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at her home in McFarland after a courageous battle with cancer.

Christie was born April 7, 1940, in Aurora, IL, to Donald and LeEtta (Rodesiler) Zaininger.  She was baptized, confirmed and wed at the First Congregational Church in Naperville, IL.

She married Rollin W. Darst Feb. 20, 1960, and they lived and worked with their family at their nursery near Hixton, the Toddle-In Nursery, for many years.

Christie participated in Girl Scouts while growing up in Naperville and later served as a Girl Scout Leader in Hixton.  She was also a Boy Scout den mother and treasurer for several years.  As a child, she took piano lessons from 1946 to 1959 and from 1960 to 1971, she taught piano lessons.  She was an organist at the Hixton Lutheran Church and at the Hixton Methodist Church for several years, playing for weddings and funerals.  She also taught Sunday school. As a teenager, Christie volunteered as a candy striper and later became a charter member and first corresponding secretary for the Black River Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She also enjoyed belonging to the Shady Glen Sewing Club while living in Hixton.

As well as being married to her husband, Rollin, for nearly 50 years, Christie was the bookkeeper, did sales work, designed landscape plans and “put up with the boss” in their nursery and Christmas tree business.  She tired to keep her hands in the business by manning the phone or radio until shortly before her death.  Christie stated her greatest achievement was her children. 

Christie is survived by her husband, Rollin; her sons, Todd (Tammy) Darst of Hixton and Ross (Jolene) Darst of Hixton; her daughters, Beth (friend Ed) Darst of Alma Center and April (Chris) Eddy of Stoughton; her brother, Donald R. Zaininger of Naperville, IL; her brother-in-law, Valentine Darst of Willard, and her sister-in-law, Audrey Mac Donald of Fort Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren, Christie, Janelle and Corinna Mathews, DeEtta (John) Koenig, Emmalee and Henry Darst, Nikki and Eric Darst, Lucas, Nerise and Gloria Eddy, as well as a great-grandchild forthcoming.

Christie was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Lucille Zaininger, and her brother, Roger Zaininger.

Funeral services for Christie A. Darst were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at the United Methodist Church, Hixton, with Reverend Kathleen Jury officiating.  Burial took place in the Sechlerville Cemetery, Hixton.  Friends called at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton Monday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to services.

Casketbearers were: Nick Bohac, Eric Darst, Henry Darst, Lucas Eddy, Matthew Hagen, Shane Hallgren, John Koenig and Jason Laufenberg.