Hermina (Hermie) Maria Christen, age 94 years, of Thunder Bay passed away Tuesday October 29, 2024, at her home of 69 years. Hermina was born and raised in Widnau, St.Gallen, Switzerland, on February 18, 1930. At the age of 24 she emigrated to Fort William, Ontario. Taking up residency at a farm west of Kakabeka falls along with her daughter, eleven siblings and both her parents. Hermina worked briefly at Mckellar Hospital in laundry where she met her future husband Frank Christen with his three children which she later raised. During the high school years Hermina continued her education taking English and business courses, mastering bookkeeping and then later excelling in a nursing home care program. This led to a full-time job at Central Park Lodge which lasted over 20 years before retiring. Return journeys to Switzerland with her husband of 49 years were fond years which included visiting friends and relatives along with site seeing. Retirement also included sea cruises, car trips and adventures in Florida including a timeshare.
Over the years her garden kept shrinking but she never stopped growing flowers both inside and out. Hermina had two passions, getting out of the house to go for coffee, dinner and conversation and her love of her pet dogs. When we’d be sitting outside, dog in tow, keeping her company; neighbors would stop to chat with her and exchange pleasantries while cars driving by would slow down and honk their horns and she would acknowledge them with a wave or nod. When I asked her who that was, she would say “I don’t know but I guess they know me.” Mom was a woman of great faith and attended mass regularly. She was also very determined, independent and able to live in her home until she passed.
Hermina was predeceased by her husband, Frank Werner Christen, his younger brother Joseph Christen and her parents Hermina & Karl Boesch, her seven brothers Karl, Louis, Osker, Wendel & (Mary), Jacob, Joseph and Herman Boesch. Sisters Margrit Lemieux & (Art) and Anna Giessler & (Gerd) and nephew Ken Lemieux.
Hermina is survived by her daughter Ursula Preachuk (Tom) and grandchildren Chris (Merrilee) Preachuk, Bill (Deb) Preachuk, Jeff (Mandie) Preachuk and Jennifer (Wade) Wilken. Hermina is also survived by her son Paul (Sylvia) Fayrick and grandchildren Micheal and Julia. Hermina is survived by her son Frank (Linda) Christen and grandchildren Paul Christen, David (Ashley) Christen, John (Jaime) Christen, and Leanne (Aaron) Butikofer. Hermina is survived by her daughter Helen (Kevin) St. John and granddaughter Christen (Demetri) Boudikas. Hermina is survived by her daughter Ruth (Walter) Risi and grandchildren Kim (Graham) Forshaw, Ben (Glory) Risi and Julie Workman. Along with the 14 mentioned grandchildren Hermina has 26 great grandchildren. Surviving siblings include Rosemarie (Bill) Harmon and Rita (Jim) Dampier, sister in-laws Barbara Boesch and Vicky Boesch of Nipigon, June Boesch of Vancouver, and Brigitte Boesch of St. Gallen Switzerland.
It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of our mother Hermina (Hermie) Christen. Rest in peace mom.
A Funeral Mass for Hermina Maria Christen will be held on Tuesday November 12, 2024 at 11:00am in St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, 1019 Brown Street, celebrated by Father James Panikulam with a luncheon to follow. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, November 11 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm in the Everest – Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street at James, with Vigil Prayers offered at 7:00pm.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
