|
|
Rev. William Douglas (Bill) Christ
Pastor Bill Christ, beloved child of God, died on January 2, 2023, after a lengthy illness, comforted by his wife, Beryl Singleton Bissell. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Agnes, and Francesca Maria Bosca, Beryl’s daughter. He was born in Buffalo Center, Iowa, on September 3, 1948, and studied at Waldorf and Wartburg Colleges in Iowa, the Goethe German Language Institute in Passau, Germany, Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, and other institutes of higher learning. He and Beryl married in 1996.
Bill believed his mission in life was simply to make a significant and positive difference in at least one other person’s life each day “no matter what his career or occupation was at the time.” As a management consultant Bill travelled the world, especially as owner and president of Lakota Associates. As an ordained Lutheran pastor, he served several congregations over ten years, most recently at Tofte and Lutsen on the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Bill became a Benedictine Oblate, associated with the Benedictine Monastery of St. Scholastica in Duluth. He embraced the Benedictine practice of hospitality for all (as found in Chapter 53 of the Rule of St. Benedict) viewing others with whom he came in contact as if they were Christ incarnate. Even at the most inconvenient moments, Bill habitually invited unexpected guests, even complete strangers to “come in and have tea” with him, or he’d invite them to share a meal at his expense.
Bill loved cars, trucks, jazz, and traveling with Beryl. By 2017 they had taken over one hundred trips to Europe, the Americas, and all over the United States.
Bill is survived by sisters Elaine Ann Hites, Sara Jane Vriesen, Jeanne Christ Phillips, brother Glenn August; and Beryl’s son Thomas Ferdinand Bosca.
Bill donated his body to the medical school at the University of Minnesota.
A memorial service will be held at Roseville Lutheran, 1215 Roselawn Ave, West Roseville, MN, 55113 on January 19, 2023, at 11 a.m. with luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Immune Deficiency Foundation, 7550 Teague Road, Hanover MD 21076.
Burial of ashes will be in Schroeder, on his beloved North Shore of Lake Superior.
Leave a Reply