February 28, 2008 at 7:30 a.m.
Kermit Christensen
Kermit Christensen
Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 23, at Chisago Lake Church, in Center City. Pastor Craig Lundstad-Vogt officiated. Interment was at Chisago Lake Hillside Cemetery. Pallbearers were his six grandsons.
Kermit was born March 29, 1921, in Chisago County on his parents' farm outside of Forest Lake, Minn. He was the third of five children born to Anna Hansena Sophia Anderson and Valdemar ("Wallie") Nels Christensen.
Kermit attended school in Forest Lake where, during his high school years, he was a member of 4-H, the Student Council, the Society of Science Club, and an officer in Future Farmers of America. As a senior, he was captain of the basketball team and graduated fourth in his class in 1939.
After high school, Kermit attended the University of Minnesota in the College of Agriculture, but his education was interrupted when he was needed to help run the family farm during WWII. Farming continued to be part of Kermit's life in varying degrees for most of his life.
April 4, 1946, Kermit married "Betty" (Cleone) Elizabeth Cunningham. They purchased acreage north of Shafer where they farmed and began a family.
The farm proved to be a nice place to rear children as well as a good place to raise crops, beef cattle, poultry and hogs. Among Kermit's farming awards are third in state 4-H corn project; first in State Best Silage Contest; second in Farmer Magazine sponsored Extra Yield (corn) Contest: County Conservation Award; and second in County Plowing Contest.
At age 37, Kermit returned to the University of Minnesota. He was a member of the Honor Society in the College of Education and graduated with distinction in 1959. His first teaching job brought his family to Madison, Minn., where he taught Agriculture. Through Kermit's leadership, his students placed high in State Dairy Judging Contests; one year taking third place out of 80 some teams.
In 1963, Kermit and Betty decided to return to their farm near Shafer and look for a teaching position in that area. Kermit farmed full-time for four years before returning to full-time teaching and part-time farming.
In the late 1960's, Kermit began his teaching career with the Chisago Lakes School District where he taught subjects such as 7-9th grade science, 7-9th grade math, and high school physics before getting the opportunity to choose 7th grade Life Science, which he taught until his retirement.
Kermit loved working with the seventh grade students and appreciated their energy, sincerity and open-mindedness. He always considered the students first and foremost in his teaching and was proud of the science experiences he was able to provide them in the classroom. Many students seemed to have a similar regard for their teacher. Years after he retired, former students often told him how much they enjoyed his class; conversation frequently led to the renowned worm and frog dissecting activities.
In 1985, Kermit was named Chisago Lakes Teacher of the Year. While at Chisago Lakes, Kermit became known as a prankster among teachers and staff, which made his job even more enjoyable and provided fond memories and many stories to tell when he retired from teaching in 1988.
After retirement, Kermit returned to farming full-time, but primarily focused on crops and beef cattle. Gradually, he began renting his fields and pastures out to nearby farmers. This allowed him to spend more time doing volunteer work, begin collecting old and interesting wrenches, spend more time with the family and travel, which included a special trip to Europe. During retirement, Kermit also discovered an interest in the Civil War years and was able to visit several battle sites out east. He also found time to take up gardening with his specialty of growing beautiful irises.
Kermit was an active member of Chisago Lake Lutheran Church. His volunteer work included Sunday School teacher, Meals-on-Wheels, serving on church council and on various committees, as well as extensive painting at the church and parsonage.
Although Kermit was proud of his children and their spouses, he found that being a grandparent was especially rewarding. "Grandpa" had a special relationship with his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time talking and playing with them. He often attended their functions and sporting events.
In 1992, Kermit was devastated by the death of his devoted wife, Betty. Together they had four children: Elizabeth Dianne Rekow (Van Thompson), Nancy (Don) Johnson, Sue (Dennis) Berry, and Kermit Peter II "Tim" (Connie Holt), six grandsons with five spouses: Chris (Jen) Rekow, Andrew (Dena) Rekow, Michael (Sandy) Johnson, Jeffrey Johnson, D. Scott (Sarah) Berry, and Greg (JoLyn) Berry; two granddaughters Renee and Marie Christensen; and 14 great-grand-children.
Kermit was fortunate to find a second soul mate. Jan. 21, 1995, he married Pauline Peterson. They resided in Lindstrom. Polly was able to put the sparkle back in Kermit's eyes. They enjoyed several years together and found time to travel to Panama and the Holy Land.
Kermit was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2005 and entered Margaret S. Parmly Residence Sept. 2006. Several staff members at Parmly knew Kermit through church or had been former students of his. This brought comfort to his family during a very difficult time in Kermit's life. Staff enjoyed Kermit's sense of playfulness while he resided there.
A great number of friends and family will miss Kermit's gentleness, playfulness and wonderful sense of humor.
In addition to his wife Polly, his children and their spouses, children, and grandchildren, Kermit is survived by one sister, Jane Koalska.
He is preceded in death by his first wife Betty, brothers: Harlan and Irving, and sister Gertrude Roos.
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