Christine Lawler

Christine Ann Lawler, 76, joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Bella Vista (Golden Living) nursing facility in Rapid City, SD. Funeral mass will be at 10:30am Thursday, July 14, 2016 at St. Christina Catholic Church, Parker, SD with burial at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Howard, SD. A scripture service/rosary will be said at 7:30pm Wednesday evening at the church. Fr. Hal Barber, Christie's classmate will be the celebrant. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home, Parker. Christine Ann was born December 1, 1939 to Walter and Leone (Wallum) Baily in Parker, SD. She graduated from Parker High School and earned her bachelor and masters degrees from Dakota State and Northern State Universities. She met her husband Jim in Madison and they were married on June 27, 1959 at St. Christina Catholic Church, Parker. Christie began her teaching career in Sioux Falls with 36 first graders. She followed Jim’s career teaching in Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, Maryland, Pierre and Aberdeen. Christie supervised student teachers while they practice taught in various schools for Northern State University. She was considered a master teacher being nominated for Teacher of the Year for South Dakota. Teaching was an obsession and she was superior in her field. Christie was active in Catholic Daughters of America, Foster Grand Parents, CCD and Educational Boards. While her husband served in the South Dakota State Senate, she was President of the Capitol Club. She is survived by her husband Jim and their children, Jeff, Jimmy Joe, and Lisa, one grandson, Chad and five great grandchildren, her sister, Cheri Ellefson and brother, Richard. They moved to the Black Hills in 2002 but Christie’s health soon failed causing severe dementia. She was preceded in death by her parents. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Black Hills Works Foundation in Rapid City. Condolences may be sent to the Hofmeister-Jones funeral Home, PO Box 727, Parker, SD 57053