Rich Christian

Dale Rich Christian, 82, of Scranton, Iowa, died unexpectedly Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Iowa, following complications after surgery. A visitation will be held at the Dahn & Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton from 4:00 – 7:30 P.M. on Monday, December 6, 2010. The family will be present from 5:00 – 7:30 P.M.. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the University of Iowa Hospital, Children’s Orthopaedic Department. Rich is grateful that his parents took him as a toddler to the U of I Chidren’s Orthopaedic Department where Dr. Arthur Steindler performed major surgeries to correct a congenital birth defect which otherwise would have confined him to a wheelchair. Memorials may be sent to Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Dept., U of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Dr., Iowa City, Iowa 52241, % Paul Etre for Children’s Fund. The families thank each of you for your caring concern, support, and easing our sorrow at this very sad time. Rich was born July 11, 1928 on the family farm near Scranton to Reuben Edward and Fern Rich Christian. He graduated from Scranton Consolidated School in 1946. He then attended Peru State College, Coe College and Iowa State University. Rich returned to live and farm near Scranton until his retirement. Rich thoroughly liked to farm, and after retirement kept involved by helping Don. He felt privileged to live on a Century Farm. Rich and Janet Lee Wooldridge were married July 16, 1960 in Perry. They met at the West End Café after her first day of teaching. Some of Rich’s greatest pleasures were his family, just being with the “grands” ( “and they are grand”, he’d say), watching them growing up and playing sports; reading, and watching sports. He was an organ donor. Surviving are his wife Janet of Scranton; a son Don and his wife Amy of Scranton; their children Lily Marie and Lucas Rich; Doug’s sons Nathan Anton and Clayton Rich of Glidden; a sister-in-law Beverly Slater of Altoona; nephews Greg Fellers (Kathy), Paul Fellers (Vida), Rik Christian (Debbie), Michael Slater, and Dennis Slater (Barbara); nieces Lori Fisher (James), and Cynthia Slater; eleven great nieces and nephews; five great great nieces and nephews; cousins Joyce Beucher (Alan), David Seaman (Saralou), Inez Christian McHugh, Wayne Wilcox (Arlene), other relatives and many friends. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, a son Doug in 2003, a sister Ruth Fellers and her husband Walt, a brother Wayne and his wife Nell, and a brother-in-law Lyle Slater.