Christine A. Hongisto

CHRISTINE HONGISTO NORWAY- Christine Aloisia Hongisto , age 65 of Norway, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on November 13, 2012 at Dickinson County Hospital with her family by her side. She was born July 2, 1947 in Wels, Austria, daughter of the late Charles and Emelia Marchlik. Christine is survived by her husband of 42 years, Andrew Hongisto; daughter, Trisha Hongisto of Marshall, MI; son and spouse, Andrew and Connie Hongisto of Niagara, WI; daughter and spouse, Angela and Keith Maule of Loretto, MI, and five grandchildren Natasha, Christianna, and Moriah Maule, Hazel and baby Hongisto. She is also survived by her sister Alfrieda Mattila of Wakefield, MI; nieces and their spouses, Dianna and Stephen Semenak of Wakefield, MI and Paula and Ricky Doney of Simsbury, Conneticut. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Gustav Sanger of Germany; brother-in-law Duane “Butch” Mattila. Christine was a wonderful, loving mother and grandmother, an excellent cook, gardener, teacher, seamstress, quilter and expert knitter. She loved music, especially her granddaughter’s music, and Tiger baseball. Many people know her for her love of flowers, which started when she was a young girl. As a horticulturist and landscape architect her landscape designs have graced many yards, and her knowledge of roses is unsurpassed; many nurseries across the country had her test their plants and write articles for their magazines. She loved family and brought everyone together during the holidays for a wonderful meal and celebration. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly and always encouraged them in their pursuits and interests. She loved the Lord and the Word of God was her treasure. She cared deeply for her family and friends and it was her greatest concern that they would come to the salvation that she found in her Savior Jesus Christ- that they would repent from their sins and embrace the forgiveness that Christ offers and find the peace and rest she found in His amazing grace and love. Romans 10:9-1 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. She will be greatly missed, though we look forward to the day to be reunited with her and take our place beside her praising the Lord. I Thessalonians 4:13-18 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me.... I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see. T'was Grace that taught... my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear... the hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares... we have already come. T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far... and Grace will lead us home. The Lord has promised good to me... His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be... as long as life endures. When

Christine A. Hongisto

July 2, 1947 - November 13, 2012