Emma M. Christian

A Memorial Service for Emma M. Christian of Warroad, MN will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 11:00AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Warroad, MN. 

Emma Marie Christian, age 88 of Warroad MN passed away unexpectedly on September 24, 2024 in the Roseau Hospital.

Emma was born February 8, 1936 in Warroad, MN to Fred and Olive (Orvis) Vytlacil. She grew up on the Frank Norman farm south of Warroad. Emma attended Warroad Schools, graduating in 1954. Following high school, she worked at the First National Bank in Baudette, MN. She then returned to Warroad and was employed at Marvin Lumber Company.
While singing with her two sisters at the Warroad hospital, Emma met Gordon Christian. On December 27, 1958, Emma married Gordon in Warroad, MN. Gordon's work as a carpenter took them many places early in their marriage.They initially lived in Warroad and Hibbing MN. During the early 1960's, they lived in many locations along the US- Canadian border while Gordon built US customs stations. In 1965, the family moved back to Hibbing, MN in the Kitzville location on the iron range. During this time, Emma worked as a teller in the Security State Bank of Hibbing. In 1982 the family relocated to Beulah/Hazen, ND. Emma continued her work in banking at Union State Bank. In 1985, Emma and Gordon moved back to Warroad, MN and built their dream home on the banks of the Warroad River. She worked at Security State bank in Warroad until she retired in 2008.

Emma enjoyed meeting people and made many lifelong friends. Although she enjoyed watching hockey, people and memories were something she cherished most of all. Whether it was the kids hockey trips, MN State Hockey Tournaments, or any other get together Emma and Gordon's was the room or house to go to with plenty of food like porketta, chicken wings, peanut butter cookies, and of course blueberry pie. Emma's fried walleye was a treat no one could resist.

Emma also enjoyed being around her family, making sure to attend her grandchildren's birthdays, dance recitals, sporting events, graduations and weddings.

She also loved her flower gardens. Emma enjoyed most of her time in nature whether it be gardening or enjoying the many birds and wildlife that visited their home on the river. She was an especially talented gardener with beautiful flowers, most notable were her lady slippers. She also loved to fish. She would always catch the biggest fish and usually the most.
Emma is survived by her children Gordon (Jodee) Christian of Eagan, MN and Steve (Stephanie) Christian of Grand Forks,ND; five grandchildren Peter (Laura) Christian, Emily (Kyle) Herauf, Samuel Christian, Abigail (Jace) Hellman, Nicholas Christian; and seven great-grandchildren Addison Herauf, Penelope Herauf, Edison Hellman, Theodore Christian, Henry Christian, Oliver Christian, and Rigby Hellman. She is also survived by sisters Pat Colburn, Sophie Bolles; and brother in law Bill Christian, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gordon, sisters Edith, Betty, and brothers Fred, Jack and Joe, and great granddaughter Ingrid Hellman.

Special thanks to the Warroad Care Center staff who took great care of our mom during the past year.

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