Crist was born on a farm near Thief River Ralls, Minnesota on July 9, 1931, 9th of 12 children born to August and Clara Langelett (10 of them grew to adulthood.) Crist attended school at Pembina Trail School and graduated 8th grade at age 12. He then worked full time on the farm for 4 years. At the age of 14, he became a born-again Christian with the help of his older brother Art, as he kneeled at his bedside.
At age 17, Crist went to Oak Hills Bible College, where he studied for 2 years before joining the Army for 2 more years and was discharged as a Staff Seargent. After leaving the Army in 1952, Crist moved to the Twin Cities to find work. It was there that he met his first wife, Joanne. They were married August 15, 1953. Over the next 6 years, Crist worked nights and attended Northwestern and Macalester Colleges, earning 2 Bachelor’s degrees. In 1959, Crist became a biology teacher for the North Saint Paul School District. He continued attending school and had earned 2 Master’s degrees by 1966.
Crist and Joanne had 5 children, born between 1954 and 1962; Sheryl, Deanna, Beth, Patty, and Steve. Crist worked two jobs while his kids were growing up – as a teacher and managing Polar Arena, which he helped build in 1969 and then managed for the next 24 years in addition to part time hockey coaching. The family almost never missed church (3 times a week.) Special Holidays were Thanksgiving with his siblings and their families, Christmas Eve with his kids, Christmas Day, which was also spent with siblings and their families. Crist always read the Christmas story from Luke before opening gifts. It was important to Crist that each of is children accepted Christ as Savior at an early age.
In the 1970’s and 80’s, Crist and his friend Larry Erie built Camp Dellwater – a small Christian camp that caters to kids and Native Americans. He served on the board until 2008. The camp is still in operation today and Patty still serves on that board. He also spent about 35 years as a Gideon.
After Joanne died in 1997, Crist became good friends with a woman from church, Norma Nyborg. He asked his kids if it was okay if he dated her, and they all said ‘YES!’ as they worried about him being alone. Crist and Norma were married July 2, 1998. They enjoyed the next 21 years side by side, taking trips to Northern Minnesota as well as around the country, attending Gideons Conferences and other events. They served together as chaplains for North Saint Paul Police and Fire Departments, even serving as Grand Marshalls in the North Saint Paul parade one year. Norma has been a helpmeet for him in so many ways through those years.
Crist is survived by his wife, Norma; daughters Sheryl (Mark), Deanna, Beth and Patty (Jerry); many grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren; brother Evert Langelett; sisters Eleanor Siltman and Margaret Dawson; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Crist was preceded in death by his parents, August and Clara Langelett; brothers, August, Harold, Alfred, Robert, David and Art Langelett; sisters, Mabel Lundquist and Lillia Asp; his first wife, Joanne; and son, Steven.
Memorial Service Thursday (7/25) at 11:00 AM at NORTH HAVEN CHURCH, 2240 E. 15th Ave., North St. Paul with Visitation starting at 10:00 AM. Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Gideons or Camp Dellwater.