Rev. James E. Christopherson
SIOUX FALLS - Rev. James E. Christopherson (“Pastor Jim”) was born at Watertown, So. Dakota to Henry Ernest (H.E.) and Ellen (Swanson) Christopherson on November 9, 1929. He died May 26, 2024 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls at the age of 94.
Jim grew up in Lake Benton, Minn. and Valley City, No. Dak., and became impassioned with music at an early age, playing the trumpet from grade school years through college. He attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, where he majored in History and English. At Augsburg, he met Dorothy Strommen as they both were involved in various summer Campus Ministry outreach programs as well as participating in the Augsburg band and choral ensembles. He then continued his studies at Augsburg Theological Seminary where he graduated in 1954. He and Dorothy were married the following year, in 1955.
Coming from a small family, Pastor Jim absolutely loved being embraced by Dorothy’s large family in southern Wisconsin, enjoying many family vacations through the years.
Pastor Jim’s first call was a three-point parish in and around Bagley, Minn. He then served as Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries at Oak Grove Lutheran in Richfield, Minn. One of Pastor Jim’s mentors, Pastor Merton Strommen, was a member there and provided a sound foundation for Pastor Jim’s ministry.
With his next call, Pastor Jim and Dorothy, along with their now three young children - John, Mary, and Tom - served two parishes in Montevideo, Minn. and later as Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran in Madison, So. Dak. It was there that the partnership in the Gospel of Pastor Jim and Dorothy really flourished, Jim with teaching and preaching the Word on Sunday mornings and in Confirmation classes, with Dorothy embracing the children of the church, organizing and directing several choirs over the years. For the children, Saturday morning Choir School was started. Pastor Jim enjoyed being together with parishioners, walking fields while hunting pheasants and launching a boat to go fishing.
In 1986, Jim and Dorothy moved from Madison to serve at Canton Lutheran Church in Canton, So. Dak. While in Canton, Pastor Jim had perhaps one of his most meaningful experiences when he was invited by the Bishop to travel to Cameroon. When he returned from that trip, he spoke of the pure joy expressed by the people when he presented them with their own copies of the New Testament. They danced and sang.
He retired from parish ministry in December of 1994 and he and Dorothy moved to Sioux Falls, but he didn’t remain retired long. Soon he began working as a Visitation Pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Visiting parishioners in their homes, in the hospital, and in retirement communities was a favorite part of his ministry. He continued that work later, moving across town from OSLC to First Lutheran Church when his older son John accepted a call to be the Senior Pastor.
Pastor Jim and Dorothy got the traveling bug and began leading annual tours abroad. Dorothy did the research and Pastor Jim wrote the daily devotionals, and together they led trips to Alaska, Africa, and several countries in Europe.
After finally fully retiring in 2018, they sold their home and moved to Trail Ridge Senior Living Community. Even as his own health declined related to Parkinson’s Disease, he still ministered and cared for those who were care-giving staff for him.
Jim is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children, John Christopherson, Mary Hunter (Jon) and Tom Christopherson (Ginny); grandchildren, Johnny (Ali) Christopherson, Sarah Christopherson (Matt Hoffman), Matt Christopherson (Elizabeth Mills), Carolyn Hunter (Caleb Lang), Nick Christopherson and Peter Christopherson; and legions of people in the pews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Myrna; grandson, Andrew Hunter; and daughter-in-law, Cathy Christopherson.
The family is forever grateful for the many caring hearts and hands at Trail Ridge Senior Living, Sanford Hospital, Palisades Manor in Garretson, and Dougherty Hospice House.
Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Friday, June 14, 2024 at Miller Funeral Home – Downtown Chapel (507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls) Funeral services are scheduled at 11:00 am Saturday, June 15, 2024 at First Lutheran Church (327 S. Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls.)
Memorials may be directed to Trail Ridge Senior Living in Sioux Falls, Pastoral Visitation at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, Trinity Lutheran Foundation in Madison, Avera@Home Hospice in Sioux Falls, or a charity of one’s choice. www.millerfh.com