Nancy Barbara Christian, 90, of Fertile, MN, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, December 30, 2024, surrounded by family. Nancy Barbara Fritz was born on December 19, 1934, in Austin, MN the youngest of eight children born to Pastor Charles and Pauline (Peterson) Fritz. She was baptized, confirmed and married by her father. Nancy began playing the pump organ for church services at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waubun, MN at the age of 12. She attended Albert Lea, Hibbing and Cook, MN before graduating from Waubun High School in 1953 as Valedictorian. In 1956, Nancy graduated from Fairview Hospital School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN specializing in obstetrical nursing. This began her work as an obstetrical nurse at Bethesda Hospital in Crookston before becoming a full-time mom. The Director of Nurses would call her if they needed a nurse in the ob.
Nancy was united in marriage to Raymond E. Christian, July 14, 1956, with her father and Pastor G. Walther Tolo officiating. They were married for 60 years. They have resided in Fertile since their marriage. Because Ray was a licensed pilot, he encouraged her to become a pilot also. At the age of 43 she got her license. When they would fly their plane, she loved to be the navigator. In 2008, they began to winter in Mesa, AZ until his death on March 15, 2017.
As a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Fertile, MN she was asked to serve as organist beginning in September 1964. Because she was able to teach herself to play a pipe organ, she joyfully played to God’s glory, praying that the Holy Spirit would speak to the people in the pews through her music. She touched our hearts with her gift and love of music for more than 50 years at Concordia. Nancy served as the first female president of Concordia of the congregation and co-founder of the prayer chains. Nancy has served on the Fair Meadow Nursing Home Board and the Pathways Bible Camp Board. She was co-founder of the Fertile Area Arts Council. Nancy was elected to the City Council in November 2000, serving a 2-year term. She chose not to run for reelection.
In 1994, Nancy suffered a slight stroke. Thirteen months later she was elected president of the Northwestern Minnesota Synodical Women’s Organization for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1995 and reelected in 1997. She always considered herself blessed to have had her stroke as it meant learning to trust in the Lord in a completely new way. She had to learn to trust Him to provide the words at various speaking engagements plus the ability to preside over conventions. He never failed her. Nancy was elected to the Churchwide Executive Board for Women of the ELCA in 1999 at the Triennial Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. At the 2002 Triennial Convention in Philadelphia, she was elected Churchwide Vice-President of Women of the ELCA for another 3-year term. When she represented the national organization at synodical conventions, she would always speak on prayer. She was prayed for by generations before her and she prayed for all family, friends and strangers plus generations to come. Her legacy is sharing her love of Christ through music and prayer.
A highlight of her life was to be chosen along with 20 other women to travel to Malaysia. They visited Lutheran churches in Malaysia and the island of Eastern Malaysia. They were warned not to try to convert any one or they would be thrown in jail. They honored that warning but one evening when the bus driver started to sing Christmas carols in English, they happily joined in!
Nancy loved her family and cherished each one. Survivors include: Todd (Carolyn) of Fertile; Dwight (Kari) and Stuart (Penny) of Union Lake, rural Fertile; Cynthia Hibbard, Henderson, NV and Karl (Kelsey) of Finley, ND. 14 grandchildren: Erin (John) Beitelspacher, Allison Christian, Angela (Austin) Arneson and Christopher (Tera) Christian; Logan (Bekah) Christian, Kora Spicer, and Josie Christian (Brian Chapman); Kalie, Andrea, Mariah (Josh Fossand) and Natalie Christian; Jonathan Hibbard; Madison (Jace) Pederson and Evan Christian. 11 great grandchildren: Henry, Lucy and Ella Beitelspacher, Leo and Sonny Arneson, Lily and Grant Christian, Reggie and Ike Christian, and Boone and Dutton Spicer; one sister, Harriet Esse and one brother-in-law, Gene (Kathy) Johnson and one sister-in-law, Helen Dahle and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray of 60 years, her parents, a newborn grandson, David Christian Hibbard, three sisters, Sylvia Frerichs, Margaret Olsen, Mae Skindlov, plus three brothers, Paul, Eliel and John Fritz.
In lieu of flowers, any memorials may be given to Essentia Hospice, Fosston, MN who took such great care of mom or to Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN where her love of Christ shone through in her music.
Thank you, mom for your love of Jesus, your love of family and your love of music and puzzles. We will continue your legacy. You are loved. Always and forever, love, Todd, Dwight, Stuart, Cynthia, Karl and families.
Funeral Service: 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 4, 2025at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, January 3, 2025 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN, with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 PM.
Interment: Concordia East Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
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