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Darrel Loren “Chris” Christopherson

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Darrel Loren “Chris” Christopherson

Birth	:	12 Feb 1924 Vermillion, Clay County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	29 Jan 2012 Vermillion, Clay County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate	:	44.3689003, -103.4753036
Plot	:	COL-A ROW C SITE 88
Description	:	Darrel Loren Christopherson, 87, of Vermillion, SD, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2012. Darrel Loren Christopherson was born February 12, 1924, to Fred and Clara (Millage) Christopherson in Vermillion, SD. On his 17th birthday, he joined the U.S. Navy. When he joined, he was so young that his father had to sign for him to enlist. On December 7, 1941, " A day that will live in infamy", he was on the ship USS Vestal, a repair ship tied up to the USS Arizona, when it was hit by a Japanese bomb. He also served on the USS Yorktown and retired... Read More	Darrel Loren Christopherson, 87, of Vermillion, SD, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2012. Darrel Loren Christopherson was born February 12, 1924, to Fred and Clara (Millage) Christopherson in Vermillion, SD. On his 17th birthday, he joined the U.S. Navy. When he joined, he was so young that his father had to sign for him to enlist. On December 7, 1941, " A day that will live in infamy", he was on the ship USS Vestal, a repair ship tied up to the USS Arizona, when it was hit by a Japanese bomb. He also served on the USS Yorktown and retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years of service. After retirement, one of Darrel's favorite pastimes was teaching school children to "Remember Pearl" The family then returned to Vermillion, where Darrel served the community for the next 20 years, working for the Vermillion Police Department, retiring after. He married the love of his life, Beatrice Fiumara, on November 26, 1945, in Pittsburg, PA. To that marriage, four children were born. Sharron Peters of Albuquerque, NM, Ray (Bev) Christopherson of West Fargo, ND, Kathi (Steve) Larson of Yankton, SD, and Rick (Jan Koehn) Christopherson of Vermillion. He is also survived by his sister, Marietta Muckey. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren, Laura Peters, Kaleb Christopherson, Kourtney Christopherson, and Clark Willits. On January 16th, Darrel made his last visit to the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, accompanied by Beatrice, Kathi, Kaleb, and Kourtney. He was warmly welcomed on every airline flight and he was treated like a hero throughout his visit in Hawaii. On his final trip, he was thanked for his service to his country, signed people's books about WWII and Pearl Harbor, and had his picture taken with strangers who just wanted to have their photos taken with a true American hero. Darrel died in his sleep January 29, 2012, 6 days after he returned from visiting the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Hawaii, and 14 days before his 88th birthday. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all that knew him, (and his family is grateful that he was able to fulfill his "bucket list".) He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Clara Christopherson; his brothers, Raymond, Gordon, Alvin, and Kenny Christopherson; and his sisters, Delores Hewitt, Fern Nasz, and Florence Fredrickson. Visitation: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at First Baptist Church 101 E Main Street Vermillion South Dakota 57069 There will be a prayer service and Oddfellows service at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 2, 2012, at the First Baptist Church in Vermillion with Pastor Elmer "Sandy" Aakre officiating. Military honors will be conducted by V.F.W. Post #3061. Interment will be at a later date at Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Darrel Loren “Chris” Christopherson's memorial?
Darrel Loren “Chris” Christopherson's memorial is located at: Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade County, USA.
When did Darrel Loren “Chris” Christopherson death?
Darrel Loren “Chris” Christopherson death on 29 Jan 2012 in Vermillion, Clay County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Darrel Loren “Chris” Christopherson's memorial?
Latitude: 44.3689003
Longitude: -103.4753036

Family Members:

Parent

Fred Lars Christopherson

(1891 - 1958)

Clara Martha Millage Christopherson

(1894 - 1983)

Spouse

Beatrice “Bea” Fiumara Christopherson

(1924 - 2016)

Siblings

Florence Irene Christopherson Fredrickson

(1912 - 1990)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3689003, -103.4753036

2. Curley Grimes Memorial Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3764500, -103.4691300

3. Fort Meade National Cemetery
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Coordinate: 44.4021988, -103.4757996

4. Bear Butte Cemetery
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Coordinate: 44.4111595, -103.4947968

5. Saint Aloysius Cemetery
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Coordinate: 44.4141340, -103.5193420

6. Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Tilford, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3192500, -103.3531160

7. Galena Cemetery
Galena, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3349220, -103.6438410

8. Crook City Cemetery
Crook City, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4432100, -103.6241500

9. Piedmont Cemetery
Piedmont, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2425780, -103.3871730

10. Oak Ridge Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3891983, -103.6766968

11. Whitewood Cemetery
Whitewood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4617820, -103.6330030

12. Roubaix Cemetery
Roubaix, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2789380, -103.6656600

13. Mount Moriah Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3760986, -103.7253036

14. Saint Ambrose Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3821983, -103.7266998

15. Nemo Cemetery
Nemo, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1872800, -103.5066410

16. Anderson Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4747009, -103.6896973

17. South Lead Cemetery
Lead, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3478510, -103.7606260

18. Little Dane Cemetery
Saint Onge, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5252500, -103.6705540

19. Mountain Meadow Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2038994, -103.6557999

20. West Lead Cemetery
Lead, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3484001, -103.7779999

21. Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Saint Onge, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5353000, -103.7237000

22. Terry Cemetery
Terry, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3344290, -103.8165110

23. Vale Cemetery
Vale, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6138992, -103.4052963

24. Holy Cross Cemetery
Englewood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2818985, -103.8047028