Christopher Camp: DONALD EDWIN CHRISTOPHER

Don Edwin Christopher was born September. 10, 1925, as the eleventh child born to Inga(Olsen) and Carl Christopher in Medina, North Dakota.

Don had eight brothers and two sisters. He spent his younger years until he

was about eight years old just north of Medina, on the “Christopher Camp.”

Then in 1933 the family moved to Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. At an early
age he learned to play guitar. With his sister Doris, he would sing and
play on street corners for nickels. He adored Doris; they were very close.

When he was about eleven the family moved to Arlee, Montana. He attended

local schools there. He was a member of Arlee Alliance Church. He

enjoyed boxing with his brothers an became an as he grew, he became
an avid horseman and rodeo enthusiast.

Don served in the Army during World War II serving in the

Pacific from December 1943-March 1946. He was a combat infantryman driver and a rifle expert, He was awarded the

Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and

the Victory Medal.

Don's nephew, Jim Skofstad, commented on the photo below:

"The badge Don is wearing is the Expert Marksman badge- the highest
qualification. It would have been earned in Basic Training.
I imagine all the Christopher boys were very good marksmen."

in Hawaii

Cecelia Marie (PeeWee) and Don

After serving in the Army, Don came home to settle down in the Arlee

area. He met Cecilia (PeeWee) Vanderburg possibly at a rodeo as she was a

jockey at the time, and they were married in 1947. Linda, Diana and Sandra

came along in the next few years.

Diana, Roberta, Randy and Linda

Don was employed by the Burlington Norther Railroad, as a welder and he also used this skill as a hobby to make many decorations, railings, and more. He also worked at a lumber mill and at times as a truck driver.Don was known everywhere as the life of the party. He was outgoing, friendly, fun and always smiling.

Daughter Linda’a reflection:

“On this Father’s Day weekend, here is our Daddy: WW II veteran, adventurer, horse trader, part-time outlaw, great carpenter, guitar playing singer, comedian, bronc rider, bull rider, steer wrestler, gambler, railroad worker, green chain puller, dare devil, baker of cakes, part time mechanic and a one of a kind Dad. I miss that effervescent twinkle in his eyes and his ability to be a friend to millionaires and ordinary folk alike. Oh no, he wasn't perfect but his tenacity to spring back from hard luck instilled in me, a love for all the crazy, razzle dazzle, and tender moments of life. So hey Dad, I miss your smile, your patriotism on every 4th of July, your crazy rendition of "I fought the law and the law won", your rat hunting rifle, your push button convertible, your home made horse trailer, and the love you bestowed on your diverse group of children. You showed us how to be hard workers and how to survive in a world that knows no pity. Yep, sometimes life is hard, you said...and it was difficult for us all when your luck took a dive. Thanks for visiting in my dreams and telling me not to worry, that you are doing just fine.”

Daughter Diana’s reflections of her Dad:
“I remember those days growing up on Mullan Road in Missoula where we lived for a while on a one acre ranch...we had a duck named "Lucy", chickens, pigs, goats cows on different occasions and horses . My" Daddy" as I called him, Donald E. Christopher was a "horse trader". He instilled in me a love for horses as we would go on the rodeo circuit quite a bit...He was the greatest father a person could ever expect to have. From looking at the information about my Grandpa Carl and Grandma Inga I can see where he got his pleasant personality. He could win anyone over with his good gift of gab and a nice singing voice. We would sing to one another and we even performed a comic routine at the talent show in Arlee. Sometimes we would just get together and sing and play the guitar and just make up all kinds of jokes...He was the greatest in my eyes and heart.”

Vernon

Randy

Linda

Diana (WeeZee)

When Don's boys, Vernon, Randy and Guy came
along, Linda, Diana, and Sandra were growing up.
When Don married Pearl Dursma, two more girls,
Dawn and ReSena expanded Don's family.

Randy Dawn and Pearl

Don with Dawn

Daughter Dawn shared her memories:

“He once welded and fabricated a metal chariot that he and my
sister, RaSena, rode in for the 4th of July parade. We were dressed
up as clowns and our horse Spot was pulling the chariot. He
loved entering into the 4th of July parade....

One year he made covered wagon, with real wagon wheels that our
horses pulled. That same wagon was purchased by the Sheep Ranch
Inn in Arlee and was used as their store sign. A different year he
built a stagecoach, all out of wood, and our horses were once
again called upon to do the pulling. He had some of his grandkids
as passengers.
I remember something else he built but it wasn't for the parade.

This was for us. He built a horse drawn sleigh and in December he
would hook the horses up to the sleigh and everyone would get in all
snuggled up under the blankets, coats, hats and of course
the huge scarves that wrapped around you so much that the only
thing showing were your eyes, and go pick out a Christmas tree.
It was a great family time and I truly love that memory.
He loved working with his hands.”

Don with ReSena

Don md (9-27-47) Cecile Marie Vandenburg: 3 children:

1) Linda Coleen Lydia (4-29-49) md Dallas Howard: 3 children

Nelson Matthew Howard (9-4-69--5-16-11)

Lisa Louise Howard (6-30-72)

Tatonkaska Howard (6-5-74)

Linda md Keith Weasel Head 2 Children:

Amber Diana Weasel Head (2-16-82)

Christopher Charles Weasel Head (6-21-84)

Also niece Darcie Weasel Head joined the family

2) Diana Louise Christopher (6- 26-51) md Roy E. Pete: 5 Children:

Tachini Tia Pete (10-3-71)

Natani Tahi Pete (8-22-72)

Shandin Hashkeh Pete (3-15-74)

Shonto Kii Pete ( 7-3-79)
Diana md James Craft: 2 children:

Crystal Dawn Cecelia Craft (11-3-86)

Tasheena Christina Tish Craft (1-31-89- 5-29-07)

Diana md Michael Joseph Cote (- 1994): 1 Child

Shayla Solana Kuliu Cote (11-10-91)

3) Sandra Yvonne Chistopher (10-20-53)

Don md Angela Marie Fyant: 2 children:
4) Randall Lee Christopher (6-14-58--6-19-1999) md Debra Bird, 1 child:
James Derek Wood
5) Vernon Louis Christopher ( 8-24-60 )1 child:
Travis Christopher (1991)
Also Marie's daughter Roberta joined the family

Don and Tilly Morrison: 1 child:
6) Guy Morrison (9-62)

Don md Pearl Marie Dursma: 2 children:
7) Dawn Edwina Christopher (11-15-67) md Travis Wahl 3 children:

Rylie Michaela Wahl (2-4-98)
Michael Christopher Wahl (8-30-02)

Autumn Elizabeth Wahl (8-26- 2007)

8) RaSena Ann Christopher (2-8-73) 2 children:

Samara Rose Rice (8-22-94)
Marri RaDawn Christopher (2-25-99)

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Beverly Christopher's quote:

“Gene Christopher idolized Don. We went to see him often, even to Evero to watch
him sing. They fought forest fires together when they were younger. Salute to the Hero!
I have a picture of him playing Santa at our house and Dawn is also in the picture.
Terry whispered in my ear "Santa looks like Uncle Don." It was a fun night.”

Nephew Jimmy Christopher tells us about the time Don asked him to come and be the babysitter for his little kids at a rodeo he was in. It was for two days, so they all slept overnight in Don's truck and had wonderful time. Don was very good to Jimmy's family when their dad, Clifford, died and they had no transportation. Don often took them shopping or wherever they needed to go and helped them in so many ways as he was known to do by so many people who knew him. Don was very close to that family when the kids were little and filled in for his brother with extra love and attention.