Obit: Christians, James A. (1944 - 2012)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Alberts, Christians, Lambrecht

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 9/03/2012

Christians, James A. (4 JUL 1944 - 1 SEP 2012)

On Saturday, September 1, 2012, surrounded by his family, James A. Christians, 68, was called home to glory by Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.

Jim was born on July 4th, 1944 in Klemme, Iowa. The excitement over his birth was universal and accordingly his birthday was proclaimed a national holiday to be annually celebrated with fireworks and barbeques.

Jim was the youngest of four children born to his parents Edward and Anna Christians. His was a life lived bravely, joyfully, and filled with laughter and love. After being baptized into Christ, he was raised on the family farm and attended Klemme High School before heading off to college.

He graduated from Lakeland College in Sheboygan where he earned a degree in accounting. He then embarked upon a long career in business and automotive management, culminating as general manager of a division of BorgWarner.

It was during his college years in Sheboygan that Jim began a 46-year love affair with his wife Gail. Married in 1966 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, God blessed their marriage with five children with brilliant (but questionable) minds. Through the years Jim and Gail set up house in Sheboygan WI, Klemme IA, Muscatine IA, St. Louis MO, Hampton IA, Cadillac MI, Traverse City MI, Grand Rapids MI, and Edgar, WI.

One of the hallmarks of Jim's life was excellence; if he was going to be involved in something, he was going to do it right and he wasn't going to do it half-way. He served as church treasurer for busy Lutheran congregations in Michigan and Wisconsin, most notably at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Interlochen MI. In church, he also served as Elder, as Sunday School teacher, Usher, and Building Committee Chairman. He was a past president of the Rotary Club of Cadillac, MI, and served as a Cubmaster in the Cub Scouts for 13 years. Jim loved fishing, camping, woodworking, and college football (go Michigan and Michigan State!). He was a sailor and a downhill skier.

After he retired, Jim and Gail took to the road with their fifth wheel camper all over the country, from Maine to California, from Oregon to Florida and discovered countless hidden treasures in between, like the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania (yes, it's a real place). He was also an aggressive and enthusiastic card player. His favorite game was 500. He loved to play with his grandchildren, the last of whom was born three days before he died.

Jim was preceded in death by his brother Clarence and his sister Lois.

He is survived by his loving wife Gail and by his brother Raymond (Julie), Branson MO. Also surviving are five children: Edward (Beth), Austin TX; Michael (Brandi), Traverse City MI; Matthew (Maggie), De Pere WI; Ann (Andy) Alberts, Athens WI; and Patrick (Lindsay), Madison WI. The generations are rounded out with five grandsons and three granddaughters.

Friends may call at St. John "High Steeple" Evangelical Lutheran Church, W1145 Huckleberry St., Edgar, from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 5 and from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday September 6. Christian funeral service is on Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. John, and will be officiated by Pastors Jeffrey Lambrecht and Matthew Christians.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar is assisting the Christians family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to St. John "High Steeple" Evangelical Lutheran Church, Edgar.