Edward Christopherson

In Loving Memory of Ed

Edward Allen Christopherson, age 86, entered his heavenly home on June 7, 2022.  Ed, the eighth of ten children of Edward (a Norwegian immigrant) and Ragna Halvorson Christopherson.   Ed graduated from Vining and Henning Schools.  Ed served in the Army Fourth Infantry Division as an aviation crew chief before completing his degree at Concordia College Moorhead, MN.  He later received a Master’s degree from the University of North Dakota.

On June 15, 1963 Ed was united in marriage to Sylvia Tjostem. They were blessed with a son, Mark and daughter, Sara.

He began his 35-year teaching career at Rugby and then Lisbon Public North Dakota Schools.  In 1967 Ed became a physical education teacher in Alexandria Public Schools.  In 1974 Ed had the honor of coaching the Alexandria High School football team to a state championship.  In 1984 he was awarded the Alexandria Teacher of the Year.

Ed’s love of God and interest in sports led him to spend more than 40 years sharing his faith in a leadership role with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).   In 1997 he received the FCA Minnesota Hall of Faith award. After his retirement from teaching Ed served on the state FCA staff in northwest Minnesota for seven years.  In 2019 he was inducted into the National FCA Hall of Champions.  Ed also had leadership positions with KBHL radio and Alexandria Covenant Church.  He enjoyed singing in his church choir for over forty-five years.  In 2008 Ed received the Alexandria Minnesota Unity Foundation Christian Service Award.

His favorite moments included time with their family, especially the six grandchildren at their East Battle Lake cabin. He also spent time as a runner, cutting wood and hiking in his woodland, and traveling with his wife Sylvia.

Ed is preceded in death by brothers Ray, Lee and Duane and sisters Dorothy Holte, Ardyce Deckert, Elaine Button and Marian Sandahl.  Ed is survived by his wife, Sylvia, children Mark (Kay) Christopherson, Sara (Jay) Schueler, grandchildren Jake, Levi and Alea Christopherson and Luke, Cale and Brett Schueler, brother James (Sandy) Christopherson, sister Carole (Doug) Crice, and sister-in-law Lois Christopherson.

Ed’s genuine smile and his caring personality will be missed by family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 13, 2022, 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Alexandria Covenant Church.  Visitation will continue on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, 10:00 - 11:00 AM at the Alexandria Covenant Church with Funeral Service at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be at the Vining Lutheran Cemetery in Vining, MN.  Memorials are preferred to FCA/Northstar Christian Academy.  Service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.