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Christie Zaininger Darst 4/07/1940 - 7/08/2009
	Christie Ann Darst, 69, of McFarland, WI, and formerly of Hixton, died Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at her home in McFarland after a courageous battle with cancer. Christie was born on April 7, 1940, in Aurora, IL, to Donald and LeEtta (Rodesiler) Zaininger. She was baptized, confirmed and wed at the First Congregational Church in Naperville, IL. She married Rollin W. Darst on February 20, 1960, and they lived and worked with their family at their nursery near Hixton, the Toddle-In Nursery, for many years. Christie was in Girl Scouts while growing up in Naperville and later served as a Girl Scout leader in Hixton. She was also a Boy Scout den mother and treasurer for several years. As a child, she took piano lessons from 1946 to 1959 and from 1960 to 1971, she taught piano lessons. She was an organist at the Hixton Lutheran Church and at the Hixton Methodist Church for several years, playing for weddings and funerals. She also taught Sunday school. As a teenager, Christie volunteered as a candy striper and later became a charter member and first corresponding secretary for the Black River Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of the Shady Glen Sewing Club. As well as being married to her husband, Rollin, for nearly 50 years, Christie was the bookkeeper, did sales work, designed landscape plans and "put up with the boss" in their nursery and Christmas tree business. She tried to keep her hands in the business by manning the phone or radio until shortly before her death. Christie stated that her greatest achievement was her children. Christie is survived by her husband, Rollin; her sons, Todd (Tammy) Darst of Hixton and Ross (Jolene) Darst of Hixton; her daughters, Beth (friend Ed) Darst of Alma Center and April (Chris) Eddy of Stoughton; her brother, Donald R. Zaininger of Naperville, IL; her brother-in-law, Valentine Darst of Willard; and her sister-in-law, Audrey MacDonald of Fort Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren, Christie, Janelle and Corinna Mathews, DeEtta (John) Koenig, Emmalee and Henry Darst, Nikki and Eric Darst; Lucas, Nerise and Gloria Eddy; as well as a great-grandchild forthcoming. Christie was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Lucille Zaininger; and her brother, Roger Zaininger. Funeral services for Christie A. Darst will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at the United Methodist Church, Hixton, with Reverend Kathleen Jury officiating. Burial will take place in the Sechlerville Cemetery, Hixton. Friends may call at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton, on Monday from 5:00 8:00 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to services.