CHRISTOFFERSON, Rita Irene (Minger) --- 1907-1996

PATRICK, MINGER, CHRISTOFFERSON, BACON

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 4/18/2012 at 20:16:48

Rita Christofferson

Rita Irene Christofferson, daughter of Frank and Fannie (Patrick) Minger, was born June 20, 1907 on a farm in Millville Township, Clayton County, near Guttenberg, Iowa. She died Wednesday, January 7, 1996 at Prairie Memorial Hospital at Prairie du Chien, Wisc. She was 88 years old.

She was baptized in 1927 and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Guttenberg. She graduated from Guttenberg High School. In 1927 she graduated from the Finley School of Nursing at Dubuque, Iowa. Rita also took a post-graduate course in obstetrics at the Chicago Lying In Hospital. She was employed by the Visiting Nurses Association of Wisconsin and Des Moines, Iowa.

On December 23, 1931, she was married to Herman Alton Christofferson. To this union 2 children were born, Jean and Don. They farmed in this community until 1961 when they moved to Postville. Rita worked as a nurse in the Postville Hospital for many years.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Herman, who died in 1980; 4 brothers, Harold Minger, Larell Minger, Byron Minger and a brother who died in infancy and 1 sister, Eneatha Minger.

Surviving are her children: Jean (Donald) Bacon of Monona, Don (Lorraine) Christofferson of Wheaton, Ill.; 4 grandchildren: Robert Bacon, Steven (Sandra) Bacon, Julie (Jerry) Linde and Jeffery (Maria) Christofferson; 5 great-grandchildren: Cory, Sally and Bailey Bacon and Melissa and Marcus Linde; 2 sisters-in-law: Elsa Christofferson of Cresco and Sylbert Christofferson of Decorah, and many other relatives and friends.

Rita was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church and the CPC Women's Association. She was involved in church work all of her life and helped sew many of the quilts that were done at the church. Rita served as an Elder on the church Session. She was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star in Postville, served as Worthy Matron and was a member of the Past Matron's Club. She was involved in cancer fund raising campaigns for many years. During WW II Rita was a volunteer with the Red Cross.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 20, 1996 at the Community Presbyterian Church in Postville. Rev. Gary Catterson officiated. Beverly Bacon was the organist. Casket bearers were Jack Backhaus, Robert Enyart, Darwin Ellis, Tennis Mork, Roger Christofferson, Leo Christofferson and Ed Lauerman, Jr. The Schutte Funeral Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements. Interment was in the Postville Cemetery.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.