Christ honored as Citizen of the Year

By Marianne Morf

Don Christ was honored as the 2012 Citizen of the Year by the Clear Lake Rotary Club at a dinner held in his honor Thursday at the Best Western Holiday Lodge. 

“Don Christ is a prime example of a wonderful citizen and candidate for Citizen of the Year.  He has served his country, his church, his school, his city, the youth of Clear Lake, and his friends,” stated the anonymous source which nominated Christ for the honor.

Thursday’s program recalled Christ’s early days as one of 10 children growing up in Mankato, Minn.   The son of Stan and Frances Christ started helping in his youth as swim instructor and camp counselor for the YMCA and as a Boy Scout leader. Upon graduation from Mankato State College, he taught and coached for the Northwood-Kensett Community Schools where he started the wrestling program in 1965.  

When he was called-up by his draft board in 1967, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was assigned to work as a Physical Conditioning Specialist and coach. In December 1969, he suffered a broken neck and was boarded out of the service.  After service, he taught for the Roseville Area School in Roseville, Minn. and was a Boy Scout leader. The Clear Lake Community Schools hired him as a teacher and coach in 1978. He and his wife, Sandy, raised four children in Clear Lake.

Christ is a member of the Clear Lake VFW and serves on the ceremonial honor guard for the VFW, honoring the death of residents that have served in the military. 

He has served St. Patrick’s Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Minister and teaching students in the religious formation program. His other community service includes serving as a board member of the Friends of the Outdoor classroom at the Clear Creek Elementary School. He also is a volunteer ticket taker at the Surf Ballroom and has become almost an icon at the yearly Winter Dance Party celebration.

Christ served the youth of Clear Lake for many years as a committee member for Scout Troop 30. He also served the district as a member of the Eagle Scout Review Board. He continues to counsel kids with merit badges. In the past, he has been an assistant scoutmaster and was Cub Scout master for a time. He still actively - Read More Via e-Edition