Christine Ann Hefte

Christine Ann (Rotto) Hefte passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 16, 2018, in Fergus Falls, MN, from complications due to Chronic Kidney Disease.
Christine was born in the family home December 21, 1931, in Berthold, North Dakota. She was the third child and oldest girl of nine children born to Isaac Melvin and Jonette Elise (Rafshol) Rotto.

Christine graduated in 1949 from Portland High School in North Dakota, and Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1953 with a B.A. in English. After college, Christine taught High School English in Sleepy Eye and Ada, MN, followed by two years as a Parish Worker at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN.

On April 22, 1957, Christine married Luther College classmate Richard C. Hefte. Christine worked at Lutheran Brotherhood (now known as Thrivent Financial) and supported Richard while he attended the University of Minnesota Law School. In 1958, she and Richard moved to Fergus Falls where they raised four daughters: Carrie, Rachel, Barbara and Sarah.

Christine was an active member at First Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School, the Bethel Bible Series, and Stephen Ministries. She was an avid supporter of Operation Bootstrap Africa (OBA), a non-profit organization supporting education projects in Tanzania, Africa. OBA founders Eunice & David Simonson were long-time missionary friends and Christine’s passion for OBA led to several trips to Tanzania, Africa. She was also charter member of the Christian Writing Academy that met annually to promote and encourage spiritual writings. Christine was a member of the MPR Regional Development Advisory Council (RDAC) for KCCM in Fargo and a volunteer for the organization. She was a strong supporter of Minnesota Radio. Christine attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, in the 1990s.

Christine was passionate about the arts and made a point of attending plays, gallery openings, musical concerts and dance performances whenever the opportunity arose. Chris’s encouragement and support for her daughters meant hours traveling to attend both musical and athletic events around the country. She was her daughters’ most vocal fan! She attended 10 consecutive Minnesota State High School League Girls’ Swimming Championships beginning in 1975.

Christine and Richard loved to travel together. It gave them great memories of people and places, especially Norway where she visited with relatives. SKOL! They enjoyed the discovery of different cultures, learning their history, enjoying the food, art and music. But, what Chris enjoyed most was coming home to Jewett Lake and watching a beautiful sunset.

Christine is survived by her four daughters, Carrie Hefte (Jim Hanton) of Arden Hills, MN, Rachel Hefte (Sean Gosiewski) of Minneapolis, Barbara (Hefte) DiBlasi of Minneapolis and Sarah Hefte (Scott Kuzma) of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Rick (Cassia) Hanton, Jamie Hanton, Jack Hanton, Marianna Hefte, Edison DiBlasi, Lucas DiBlasi; her sisters, Ruth (Rotto) Lyngaas, Alma Rotto-Morgan, Jonette (Rotto) Martinson, and her brothers, Irvin (Ardie), Curt (Ann) and Luther (Judy) Rotto and sister-in-law Kathryn (Theodore) Rotto. In addition, she is survived by numerous nephews, nieces and extended family. Christine was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Hefte, her parents, and her brothers John Rotto and Theodore Rotto.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Luther College in Decorah, IA. (Please designate “Rotto Family Scholarship”.)

Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2018, with a 6 p.m. public prayer service at PioneerCare Celebration Center in Fergus Falls.
Service: 11 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2018, at First Lutheran Church, 402 S. Court Street, Fergus Falls, MN. Luncheon will follow.