George, Christopher James 1951-2008
GEORGE, DIETZ, THOMPSON, ISELI, TOVAR, WRIGHT, JACOBSON, SMART
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/31/2012 at 16:21:24
Chris J. George, age 56, of Decorah, Iowa, died Tuesday morning, July 1, 2008 at home in Decorah of throat cancer.
Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, July 5, 2008 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah with inurnment in Minneapolis, MN.
Friends may call after 12:00 P.M. Saturday, one hour before services, at Fjelstul Funeral Home.
Christopher James George was born November 19, 1951 in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Howard and Jeanne (Dietz) George. He attended The Blake School in Minneapolis, where he explored his interests in science, and technology. He was known for his bright mind, which exploded with curiosity early in life. He knew his multiplication tables and could read at the third grade level by the time he entered kindergarten.
He learned to build and fix things early on as well, from his father and grandfather. He enjoyed using his ability to find a creative solution to any problem in his profession as a self-employed mechanic, working mostly on foreign cars. He was known to many as a “renegade” mechanic who would find a way to repair a problem for less if he could. He was a fair, gentle, and quiet man with a twinkle in his eyes and a wry sense of humor if you were lucky enough to get his jokes.
When he wasn’t reading a technology magazine or enjoying a drink with friends at The Haymarket, Chris enjoyed gardening. He gave away most of what he grew, and little made him as happy as sharing his fresh vegetables with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren.
Since the birth of his first granddaughter 13 years ago, his five grandchildren were the light of his life. His gentle way instilled in them a love of learning and appreciation for the natural world. Instead of plastic toys and fad gifts, he gave them bug collections, hand-made furniture, and gave them rides on his hydraulic machine. Those who visited his shop may not know that every piece of apparent junk there had an intended purpose to become an ingenious creation, most likely a gift for his family.
He spent most of his adult life in Decorah, because, as he said, “It’s beautiful, and I love the people.”
He was preceded in death by his father, Howard, in 1996, and one brother, Kevin in 1979. As the remaining male in the family, he maintained a close relationship of support and companionship with his mother Jeanne.
Chris is survived by three daughters: Jennifer (Greg) Thompson of Dunlap, IL, Emily (Jason) Iseli of Cresco, IA, and Allison “Anandra” George of Kilauea, HI; five grandchildren: Samantha & Allison Thompson, Callie Tovar, Kodiak Wentworth and Xavier Iseli; his mother, Jeanne George of Minneapolis, MN; and by four sisters: Diana (Chip) Wright of Vashon Island, WA, Alexis (Jim) Jacobson of Minnetonka, MN, Miranda George of Minneapolis, MN, and Samantha Smart of Minneapolis, MN.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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