Paul G. Christ

Born August 17, 1938 in Mascoutah, IL, Paul was the son of Alvin Christ and Josephine (Rider) Christ. In 1956, he graduated from Cathedral High School in Belleville, IL. Paul attended Southern Illinois University where he earned his BS and MS in Agricultural Economics.

At the age of 23, Paul was drafted into the United State Army and proudly served from 1961 to 1963. He was honorably discharged in 1963 with the rank of Personnel Specialist 4 (E-4). He earned a Good Conduct Medal and an Expert Weapons Qualification badge (Rifle). He subsequently served in the U.S. Army Reserves.

From 1966 to 1970, Paul attended graduate school at Kansas State University. During this time, he worked as a researcher at KSU and for the Federal Milk Market Administrator’s Office in Kansas City, MO. On September 9, 1967, Paul married Diane Davies in Manhattan, KS. In 1970, Paul took a job as a Senior Agricultural Economist in the Dairy Division at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The family resided in Vienna, VA from 1970 to 1974. In 1974, Paul took a job with Land 0’Lakes and the family moved to Afton, Minnesota. Paul worked first as a Marketing Specialist and then Vice President at Land O’ Lakes. Among other honors, he was recognized for his superior service to agriculture by the MN Milk Producers Association. He retired from Land O’ Lakes in 2000. He then taught economics courses in Minnesota and internationally for Metro State University, St. Thomas University, and St. Mary’s University. He also worked as a consultant in the U.S. and internationally, focusing on dairy industry developments in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. In 2010, Paul fully retired and spent most of his time leading adventures with his grandchildren.

Together Paul and Diane raised 8 children. Paul is survived by his wife Diane; children, Dave (Lisa) Davies, Darryl Davies, Tom (Eva) Christ, Kathleen (Larry) Schneider, Carolyn (Byron) Christ, Sharon (Robert) Langager, Sue (Scott) Michalski and Paula (Shawn) Welch; twenty-one grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, brother Joseph Christ and sister Frances Athy and survived by siblings Doris Albert, Kathy (George) Burnham, Bill (Roseanne) Christ and Ruth (Mike) Pusich. Paul will be dearly missed by his family and friends, but will be remembered for his gifts of adventure, humor, support, and love.

Visitation will be held on March 20th from 4-7 p.m. at Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home in Woodbury, MN. Funeral services will be held on March 21st at 11:00 a.m. at Guardian Angels (GA) Church in Oakdale, MN, with visitation starting one hour prior. Interment to follow at Guardian Angels Cemetery. A luncheon will immediately follow the burial at church.

Memorial donations in Paul’s memory may be made directly to Options for Women East (https://ofwepartners.com/donate/) or your favorite charity.