Ralph E. Christman

Ralph E. Christman, retired Christian Church minister of over 40 years, passed away peacefully on Dec. 6, 2011.

Ralph was born Dec. 10, 1926, in Fresno, Calif. to Cloyd G. and Elizabeth Gladys Christman Sr. He grew up in Torrington, Wyo., and graduated from high school in Scottsbluff, Neb. Following high school, he enlisted and served in the U. S. Merchant Marine corps During World War II as a radio operator in the South Pacific. After the war he met and married the love of his life, Esther Kembel. They were married for 53 years before she preceded him in death in 1999.

Ralph graduated from Minnesota Bible College, now Crossroads College, and served in pastorates in Ronneby and Batavia, Minn. ; Havre, Mont. ; Rowan, Iowa; Chadron, Neb. ; and Paragon and Coatesville, Ind.

Following his retirement, he lived near his eldest son, Ron, and remained active in the Christian Church until his death.

Ralph is survived by two sons and two daughters: Ron and Pamela Christman of New Palestine, Ind., Roger D. and Janet Christman of Houston, Texas; Deborah Christman-Layman of Houston, Texas; and Diana and George Hipple of North Platte, Neb. Ralph is also survived by 12 grandchildren and spouses and 13 great-grandchildren.

Ralph is also survived by three brothers: Virgil and Marilyn Kent of Gering, Neb. ; Cloyd G. and Helen Christman Jr. of Joplin, Mo., and Richard and Connie Martin of San Francisco, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests your gifts and expressions of love be sent to Crossroads College, 920 Mayowood Rd. S.W., Rochester, MN 55902-2382, Attn. Ralph Christman scholarship fund.