Christen, Dean D. 1935 – 2012

CHRISTEN, STEINE, FISKERBECK, RICHARDS, ALBERS, BRUENING

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/2/2013 at 13:09:13

Source: Decorah Public Opinion December 18, 2012, A-6

Dean Christen

Dean D. Christen, 77, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at his home in Rochester from the effects of Parkinson’s disease. A memorial service is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2124 Viola Road NE, with Rev. Fred Rengstorf officiating. Visitation is at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes Tuesday, Dec. 18, between 4 and 7 p.m.; and also one hour prior to the service at the church.

Dean was born in Ridgeway Nov. 30, 1935, to Ernest and J. Mildred (Steine) Christen. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1953 and Luther College in 1957. He began his education career in Austin, Minn. Jan. 27, 1958, teaching math and science after serving in the National Guard. Dean married Ardis Fiskerbeck Aug. 16, 1959, in Ruthven. In 1964, Dean and his family moved to Rochester where he worked briefly as a principal and finished his math teaching career Jan. 27, 1992.

After retiring he enjoyed cruises with Ardis to the Mediterranean, visiting Ephesus and Israel, and traveled through the Panama Canal. He also enjoyed his family trips to Norway and Alaska, ski trips to Colorado and Montana and warmer vacations in Florida and Hawaii. He loved spending his summers on Long Lake in Park Rapids. Some of his hobbies included going to auctions, designing and making jewelry, music and woodworking.

Dean is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ardis; two children, Lisa Christen, of Plymouth, Minn. and Kari (Dave) Richards of Rochester; a grandson, Ian Richards, of Rochester; a brother, Elliott (Bev) Christen, of Decorah; nephew, Kyle (Laura) Christen; niece, Jana (Kevin) Albers; great-nephew, Carson Christen; and a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Bruening, of Kensington, Md.

Dean participated in numerous research studies related to Parkinson’s. Even in death, he will continue to educate others through Mayo Family Study of Neurologic Diseases, specifically Parkinson’s research, at Mayo. Memorials are suggested to Mayo Clinic Parkinson’s Disease Research or a place of your choice.

Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.

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