Bernhard M. Christians, 92, died Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at Susie’s Place in Hayfield, Minn.

Ben was born in St. Paul, Minn., on April 19, 1919, the son of Bernhard A. and Alma (Buetow) Christians. He later moved to the family farm at rural Waltham. His mother passed away when he was 8 months old, so he lived with his grandparents, William and Louise Christians.

He was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Waltham, Minn. He was also married at the Trinity Lutheran Church to Gladys L. Mahnke on June 10, 1945. They were blessed with four children Gene (Gail) Christians, Waltham, Paul (Joan) Christians, Waltham, Ruth (Paul) Albertson, Lilburn, Ga., and Lois (Bob) Gebhardt, Waltham.

Ben was actively farming and doing custom corn shelling, silo filling and thrashing. He also owned and operated a saw mill that kept him very busy. He loved his herd of Hereford cattle and helped Gladys raise many hundreds of chickens and sold eggs to many businesses and friends. Ben was faithful and active in his church, serving as janitor, trustee, usher and member of the church council. He served as the supervisor of Udolpho Township for 24 years and as a director of the Mower County Co-Op Oil for eight years. He later became a director at the Mower County Historical Society. Ben loved to work in his shop, fixing machinery for himself and others.

Ben and Gladys farmed for 60 years and retired to an acreage near Lansing, Minn. In October of 2010 they moved to Susie’s Place Assisted Living in Hayfield.

Ben and Gladys loved traveling on bus trips; they traveled to nearly every state while visiting family and friends. He was always a hard worker and never complained, willing to help with anything. Ben was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys; children: Gene (Gail) Christians, Waltham, Paul (Joan) Christians, Waltham, Ruth (Paul) Albertson, Lilburn, Ga., and Lois (Bob) Gebhardt, Waltham; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Blessed be his memory.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church Waltham, with the Rev. Jeffrey Kuddes officiating. Interment will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and at the church for one hour before the service on Saturday.