- Date Of Birth: November 28, 1926
- Date Of Death: January 26, 2022
- State: Minnesota
Christopher Faye was born on November 28,1926 in Champagne-Urbana, Illinois to The Rev. Professor Christopher Urdahl Faye and Alice (Jenson) Faye. His father, born in Zululand, South Africa was a missionary, linguist, and author. Chris’s mother graduated from St. Olaf, and in the 1920s became the first woman to graduate from the University of Minnesota School of Business.
Being raised to value a strong education, Christopher attended Leal Grade School, University of Illinois High School, Bethany College, and then graduated from the University of Illinois, having majored in engineering and business.
He then started his own business, Martin Investments, Inc., and added Martin Financial & Realty, Inc. where he was Chairman of The Board. In the 1970s, he acquired Valley View Cable Co. He also enjoyed teaching various subjects at the Mankato Commercial College and helped promising students get started in their own businesses. Chris served on the Board of Trustees at Bethany Lutheran College, on the board of the Mankato Lutheran Home (now Pathstone), The Board of Directors for Hubbard Milling Company, Amdevc, and as Vice Chairman of the American Bank Corporation.
On October 19, 1952, Chris was united in marriage to his sweetheart Ruth Molnau at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia, MN. They enjoyed 69 years of marriage in their Christ-centered union. The happy couple’s choice of a wedding hymn was “Oh God Our Help In Ages Past, Our Hope For Years to Come.”
Chris was dedicated to a healthy and active lifestyle. He became The Minnesota Table Tennis Champion and was a nationally ranked member in the US Table Tennis Association. Ready to take on the challenge, even at 82 years young, Chris played table tennis and defeated college students.
Interestingly, Mr. Faye was a member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians, receiving the highest order of Merlin Excalibur. He traveled in many states and entertained with his magic shows and demonstrations. He was also a member of The American Legion and The US Boomerang Association.
Christopher Faye joined Mt. Olive Lutheran Church when he moved to Mankato in 1948. He served over the years in many capacities: Sunday School Teacher, Church Treasurer, Board of Deacons, and Congregation President.
Christopher Faye was preceded in death by parents, Christopher Urdahl and Alice (Jenson) Faye; cousins, Vivian Overn Hofman, William Overn, Esther (Overn) Asmus, Jean (Grobel) Huggins, Constance (Faye) Armstrong, Agnetta (Faye) Lund and Roald Faye from South Africa; parents-in-law, Edward and Magdeline Molnau; brother and sister-in-law, Edwin and LaVerne Molnau; niece-in-law, Dianne (Molnau) Hoese; nephew and niece-in-law, Dr. D.E. and Shirley Molnau; great nephew-in-law, Brian Hoese; and great great nephew-in-law Alec Edward Molnau.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Faye; cousins, Robert (Lois) Overn, Dr. Dorothy (Overn) Randolph, Susan (Ries) and Marvin Johnson; Faye – Hoel cousins; Inge Bergan, Norway; Elizabeth Armstrong, South Africa; Professor Andrew (Laurie) Overn; nephews-in-law, Dr. Myron (Corrine) Molnau; Richard (Pauline) Molnau; Godsons, Dr. Wade Molnau and Mark Molnau; most special and helpful friend-daughter, Rebecca Olson; devoted and loving caretaker, Joanna Faith Bergevin; most special and helpful friends, Richard Confer, Pam Leinberger, Rosemary Brosch, Kathy Kluge, Leroy and Lori Vetsch, Sister Joyce from VINE Faith in Action, Paul Drummer (called “Superman” by Chris); children and grandchildren of all cousins, nieces and nephews, wonderful Skyline neighbors and their children; and many friends.
Woodland Hills
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