Christopher Niska

Christopher “Chris” John Niska was born on June 3, 1960, the first of a set of twins, to Arthur and Ruth (Carl) Niska, in Sacramento, California. He was the oldest of six children. Chris attended high school through the eleventh grade in Glenwood, MN. Just before his senior year he and his twin brother, Mark, were asked to come to Alexandria to play hockey. They graduated from Jefferson High school in 1979.
After high school, Chris joined the United States Marine Corp. During basic training they found that he had a heart murmur and was medically discharged from the military. After being discharged from the military Chris attended school at the Wadena Technical College earning his certificate as a journeyman lineman.
After finishing school he and a close friend “Lee” moved out to Colorado to be cowboys, working on a ranch. While out in Colorado working he fell off a 3-wheeler and broke both of his wrists, forcing him to move home.
He moved back to Minnesota and started working as a lineman for Elbow Lake Municipal Power; he soon started having lunch every day at a diner in Elbow Lake. It was during the summer of 1986 at this diner that he met the love of his life and future wife, Michelle Johnson, whom was home from college on a break. The two were united in marriage on June 4, 1988, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Barrett during a hot, 104 degree day. This union was blessed with three children, Christianna, Garret and Landon.
Chris worked as a high voltage lineman in Elbow Lake, in Wisconsin, at Alexandria Light Power, in Anoka, and some of these places twice during his career. In 1999 he started working with his father and brothers at Lakeland Manufacturing. When not working, Chris enjoyed hunting, dart ball, fishing with his buddy Mike, western movies; especially anything with John Wayne. Of all of his hobbies, farming was his favorite and also the one he was most passionate about. He was the man that could fix anything and was always willing to help others with projects. In his younger years he could be found with his friend, Lee, hunting and shooting just about anything.
He loved the game of hockey! He enjoyed watching the sport but, even more, loved to tie on a pair of skates and take to the ice himself.
Chris was an active player in the 1970’s hockey group in Glenwood and taught his children how to skate and play the game; always making sure he got the skate laces extra tight. Chris served on the board while a member of Christ Lutheran Church. He was very passionate about the local passion drama put on by Zion and Good Shepherd Lutheran Churches, often being part of guarding of the tomb. He lived a life of traditional beliefs and values, having great faith in Christ. It was this faith that carried him through life, living with a heart condition and accepting it as it was and instilling this belief and faith in his children. Chris was a hands on father, requiring that the family eat supper together every night to share their day. Chris was a man of honor, humble and was never resentful or judgmental. However, Chris was not afraid to debate with his father-in-law about his preference of John Deere tractors over Internationals. He made the best biscuits and gravy, and created a home with Michelle that welcomed all.
On Tuesday, March 1, 2016, Chris went to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 55. He is survived by his best friend and wife of twenty seven years, Michelle; children, Christianna (Paul) Jahn, Garret Niska and Landon Niska; mother, Ruth Niska; siblings, Mark (Renee) Niska, Mary Niska, Charlie (Susan) Niska, Andrea (Clark) Linn, Thomas Niska; mother and father-in-law, Carrol and Iris Johnson; brother-in-laws, Scott (Rose) Johnson, Dean (Gwen) Johnson; several nieces and nephews; and his loved dog, Max. He is preceded in death by his father, Arthur Niska.