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 Chris Raaen 1928 – 2011 Chris Raaen was born on May 30, 1928 in Aal, Norway, and immigrated to Canada the following year with his parents Anna and Sevat, and his two older brothers, Andrew and Olaf. The family homesteaded in the Sweetwater area for 13 years, until 1942. The boys helped their Dad with chopping fire wood, hauling ice in for water, tending to livestock and clearing land. During those years three more children were born, Borgil, Sherley and Lloyd. Chris attended school at Sweetwater and Coleman Creek. In those days, young boys helping on the farm generally missed school the month of September and most of October, May and half of June but always passed with good grades. The older brothers had skis, hand-made by their Dad, for getting to school in the winter. The younger kids would ride ponies. We’ve heard some good stories about those days. In 1942, Sevat, Anna and family moved to the East Rolla area where their youngest sons, Ellmer and Glen were born. Chris, his Dad and two older brothers farmed the Bad Eye Brown land for 11 years. They split the land in 1949 but continued farming it together until 1953, when Olaf married. During those years, Chris worked in the winter driving truck for C.B. Harden. The winter income really helped him to develop his farm. Chris married Celia Marie Schenk in 1959 and they had their three children, Cheryl, Caryn, and Curtis over the following five years. Chris expanded his farming operation over the next several years, making it one of the larger farms in the area. Chris and Celia began acquiring properties in town at this time as well. Farming demanded much of Chris’s time in spring, summer and fall, but he would make up for this during the winter months. This season would bring the most meaningful memories to the family as more time was available to be spent together. Then there was lots of time to visit family and friends, as well as enjoying outdoor activities such as skating, skiing, tobogganing and snowmobiling. Celia passed away in 1976 and Chris continued farming for the next couple of years. After 25 years of farming on his own, he sold the Coleman Creek farm. It didn’t’ take him long to realize farming was his passion and he would soon purchase smaller parcels of land at South Dawson and Briar Ridge. He married Dorris Nagel in 1980 and they moved to his land at Briar Ridge. They enjoyed taking trips together and travelled to the states, Mexico, and Australia. He began pursuing other business interests in real estate, yet enjoyed farming for another 12 years, until he developed arthritis in 1988. In the spring of 1995, Curtis became ill and passed away in January of 1996. Later that year, Chris travelled to Norway with his sister Shirley and her husband Don, to see where he was born and to reunite with family there. That trip sparked new relationships and was the beginning of many trips back and forth between family members. Our relatives in Norway love to tell the story of their time together, and when they first heard Chris speak in Norwegian, it brought tears to their eyes. They said he spoke so beautifully in the old Halling dialect, which is now spoken only by the elders there. During the last 15 years or so, he particularly enjoyed his drives in the countryside, checking out the crops. He really had a strong connection with his Norwegian roots and enjoyed visits when relatives came to Canada. He especially looked forward to taking our Norwegian family to show them all around the Peace Country. Chris treasured the time he spent with his family. Over the years, he was blessed with three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He also really enjoyed visiting with his friends, and would often stop by the Co-op for coffee where he would reminisce with his old farming buddies. He loved to go to the farm auctions just to watch, and was still very active in business. To his family, he was just like a rock, he was very strong. He would always stand by them, through thick and thin. He accepted things as they were. He and Dorris separated in 2007, and remained good friends. He kept his wonderful sense of humour right to the end. He loved to tell a good story, and then he would laugh and laugh. We knew Chris as such a kind and insightful person, in his quiet way. He was good to everyone. He was a smart man who had a sharp mind. He was self taught, he learned as he went. He was successful in business and in life. Chris is survived by his daughters and their families – Cheryl (Bill Shore), Kane and Courtney, Ryder Jo and Johnny Rose; Caryn (Tru Nelson) Kory and Brandy, and Gage; brothers Olaf and Ellmer and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Chris was predeceased by his wife Celia, son Curtis, parents Sevat and Anna as well as his sisters and three brothers. Forever in our hearts, there you’ll be. A funeral service was held on January 22, 2011 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia with Peggy Bergeron officiating. Interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Chris may be made by donation to the ‘Salvation Army’ 1436 – 104 Avenue, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 2J8 or ‘World Vision’ 1 World Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 2Y4. |
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Dawson Creek: (250)
782-2577 Serving Fort St. John |
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