Sydney Daniel Christophersen

Sydney Daniel Christophersen went to be with his Lord and Savior on Nov 24, 2018 at the age of 87 ½ years old. He was surrounded by his loving wife of 67 years, Irene, as she faithfully cared for his needs.

Syd was born Feb 10, 1931 at home in Zion IL to the late Gertrude R (nee Butler) and Daniel F Christophersen. He first met Irene in kindergarten, and they soon became inseparable. They married April 7, 1951 during which time Syd joined the US Navy during the Korean War. He became a radar man, sailed the Asian-Pacific waters aboard an aircraft carrier, and navigated through the Panama Canal while spending an entire year at Sea.  Once sent stateside, Irene followed him up and down the Eastern seaboard and made many Navy bases her home. After the War, Syd earned his college degree in electrical engineering and loved to study advanced mathematics, only stopping this past year.  Next came a big surprise – twin girls unexpected but welcomed! Darene and Debbie were born 6 weeks early in Dec of 1958.   Syd’s life was profoundly affected by many events, some personally tragic life and death changing moments, others ordinary every day occurrences, but his life was marked by a great faith and trust in Jesus Christ as His Savior and Rock of Ages.  He enjoyed many hobbies, but his happiest times were spent gardening the black dirt acreage of his home in Rockton, IL where Syd and Irene lived and loved for 50 years.  Thousands of tomatoes, apples, corn, raspberries, strawberries, cucumbers, and vegetables of all kinds were eaten, preserved, and given to friends. Their door was always open, and the garden needed to be picked. His career as an engineer included years at Fairbanks Morse in Beloit, WI then to Barber Coleman in Rockford, IL. By 1978, Syd started his own small electrical motor repair business and was often found working in his shop behind the house.   Among his greatest earthly loves - beside Irene- were his Mother, his sister Esther, his children, and his local church in Beloit, WI where he faithfully served and made life- long friends.  Syd enjoyed learning about the world around him, and barely knew a stranger, and if he did, within a few short minutes that stranger would definitely be listening to Syd TALK about life and see his big smile.  In the recent years of their failing health and physical strength, Syd and Irene relocated to MN to be cared for closer by their youngest daughter Diane and family. Most recently, home care and hospice helped keep Syd at home with Irene.

He is survived by his wife Irene (Anderson), his daughters Darene (Greg) Campbell, Debbie (Steve) Gee, Diane Wiebe, 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.  Those gone before him in death include his parents, Sister Esther (Leech), son-in-law Keith Wiebe, baby daughter Denise, and infant grandchildren Benjamin and Katherine (Wiebe).

A Memorial Celebration was held Nov 28th at Eden Baptist Church in MN where Syd attended until his final weeks of life. A funeral service will be held at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL on Friday Nov 30th with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion.  Memorials can be made to Camp Zion in appreciation of Syd’s life. Irene wants to thank all the caregivers from Eden Baptist and Fairview Hospice as they shared their love in care of Syd.