Christine Waltner

Christine Marie (Duerksen) Waltner, age 94, had a peaceful homegoing the morning of July 27, 2024, at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton, KS. She had a long rich life of relationships and exceptional experiences.

Christine was born on January 20, 1930, in Champa, India, to Jacob R. and Christena Duerksen, who were Mennonite missionaries. Christine was the middle child with older brother, Joe, and younger sister, Lois. Her early education was at Woodstock School, an international residential school in the Himalayan foothills. At age 16 she returned to the United States and attended Bethel College where she received her degree in Education. It was here that she met her future husband, Harris Waltner. They were married on August 15, 1951, and spent the next couple years in Chicago at Mennonite Biblical Seminary where Harris was studying for the ministry. 

Their first move was to Moundridge, KS, where Harris pastored the West Zion Mennonite Church. All three of their children, John, Carol and Marilyn, were born there. Over the next 21 years (1963-1984) they moved to serve churches in Ritzville, WA, Fort Wayne, IN (one-year interim), and Mountain Lake, MN. In 1984 they accepted an invitation to go to Lesotho in Southern Africa to serve for 6 years at the Maseru United Church, a non-denominational multicultural congregation. Upon returning to Kansas in 1991 they finished up their church career in Manhattan at the Manhattan Mennonite Church.

During all these years Christine was a capable and loving wife, mother and grandmother, although she also found satisfaction in working at various part-time jobs as substitute teacher, fabric store clerk and physical therapy aide. All these experiences showed her interest in people and care for others.

In 2002 their final move was to Kidron Bethel Village where they enjoyed community life, the educational and cultural opportunities of their location and especially, being reunited with family, former friends, classmates and colleagues. When both Harris and Christine experienced health issues in 2011, Harris moved to Health Care where he died in 2012 and Christine became a resident of Assisted Living and then Health Care. There she continued her hobbies of reading, embroidery and interacting with people.

Christine was preceded in death by her parents, brother Joe Duerksen and sister Lois Deckert. She leaves three children: John (Pam), Carol (Stan), and Marilyn; eight grandchildren: Jonathan (Morgan), Laura (AJ/Alejandro), Lindsay, Sarah (John), Erica (Matilda), Christian (Anna), Reid (Jena) and Ross; and six great grandchildren: Wren Lyra, Augie, Adeline, Calvin and Louisa.

A memorial service will be held at Shalom Mennonite Church, Newton, on September 28 at 11:00 am. Memorial gifts are suggested for Kidron Bethel Village in honor of the wonderful care she received while a resident there.