Christina Mathern

Christina Mathern, 79, Edgeley, ND, died Sunday, October 22, 2006 at her home in Edgeley.
Christina (Wolf) Mathern was born to Mathias and Kenegunda (Vetter) Wolf on February 23, 1927 in Emmons County near Linton, ND. She was raised on the family farm, completed elementary school, and attended high school in Linton until her junior year. Because of the teacher shortage at the time she was drafted to teach grades K-8 in a country school. One of her proudest memories was when all of her students passed their state exams. From 1944 through 1946, Christina taught school, during which time she married John J. Mathern on October 10, 1944. They lived with her parents until 1946 when they moved to a farm south of Edgeley, North Dakota. Christina and John maintained the family dairy and grain farm until John died in February, 1985. They raised thirteen children.
Christina modeled the value of servitude in all areas of her life. In worship she was an active member of the Catholic Church of Transfiguration, Altar Society, and Manor St. Joseph Auxiliary, and was a Eucharistic Minister for the parish. In the community, Christina served the local Farmers Union youth chapter as a teacher-leader for seventeen years and before that, in Emmons County. She was a member of the Jolly Senior Citizens of Edgeley. She demonstrated the value of developing and maintaining relationships by visiting relatives and neighbors and lending and ear to those in need. She modeled the importance of reaching out to all people by hosting students from many cultures: Native American, Mexican, African American, and Japanese. Christina's acts of service influenced both her children and those around her. Consistent with values she demonstrated, Christina's family and friends served her at home during the last months of life.
She is survived by 61 great- grandchildren, 47 grandchildren, and 13 children: James (Sally), Edgeley, ND; Antoinette (Pius) Hager, Braddock, ND; Joe (Linda), Lisbon, ND; Tim (Lorene), Fargo,ND; Victor (Terry), Edgeley, ND; Keney (Greg) Cunningham, Bismarck, ND; Mary (Vic) Schaffer and Jerry (Arlys), Edgeley, ND; Liz (Allen) King, Lisbon, ND; Mark (Donna), Casper, WY; Barb (Vic) Eastley, LaMoure, ND; Matt (Marlene), Edgeley, ND; Corene (Mark) Lee, Jamestown, ND; three brothers: Matt (Sharon) Wolf; John (Suzi) Wolf; and Mike (Darlene) Wolf; six sisters: Magdalena Bachmeier; Anne (Kasimer) Wald; Julia Sorlein; Frances Leingang; Carol Glatt; Keney (Don) Foster. She was preceded in death by her husband and three infant children, her parents, one brother, and one sister.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Manor St. Joseph or the Jolly Senior Citizen's Group both of Edgeley.
Funeral Service - 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Edgeley, ND.
Prayer Service - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Edgeley, ND
Visitation - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Edgeley, ND and 1 hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Interment - Mount Calvary Cemetery, Edgeley, ND