Sylvia Christopher , 101, Minot, died Monday, July 2, 2018 in a Minot nursing home.

Sylvia was born on November 5, 1916 to Dyas and Emma (Waltner) Rhoads in Starkweather, ND. The family moved to Glenburn in 1922. Sylvia graduated from Glenburn High School as Salutatorian of her class in 1934.

Sylvia was united in marriage to Wayne Leroy Christopher on November 5, 1938 in Freemont, MI. She worked at Continental Motors Company in Muskegon, MI and for Michigan Bell Telephone Company from 1943 until 1945, while Wayne served in the United States Navy. Following Wayne's honorable discharge in 1945, they moved to the family farm west of Glenburn in Van Buren Township, where they raised their three children, Nikki Ann born in 1946, Timothy Wayne, born in 1949 and Randy Lee born in 1955.

In 1962, Sylvia went to work at the Minot Air Force Base Exchange as a salesclerk, purchasing clerk and secretary to six general managers, until her retirement in 1976. The family moved to Minot in 1973, where she was employed at Halley Realtors as their secretary from 1978 until 1986. After 46 years of marriage, her husband Wayne passed away on April 20, 1984.

Sylvia was a loving mother and grandmother to all her children and she took special pride in her grandchildren's accomplishments. Her special hobbies were cooking and baking and she was an avid reader. She subscribed to many food magazines and enjoyed reading and following them like a good book. Additionally, she looked forward to and enjoyed her monthly meetings with the gals in the Birthday Club

Sylvia was raised in the Baptist faith. She and Wayne joined the Congregational Church of Christ in Minot in 1979, where she served as treasurer of the Priscilla Circle, as a deaconess and on the church council.

Sylvia's loving family includes: her three children, Nikki Fisher, Riverside, CA, Timothy Christopher, Tucson, AZ and Randy (Debbie) Christopher, Minot, ND; grandchildren: Christopher Lee Wille, Troy Anthony Wille, Shandin Paul Fisher, Eric Wayne Christopher, Aaron James (Heather) Christopher and Sarah Ann (Isaac) Foss; great-grandchildren: Aynsley & Christopher Wille; Geoffrey Wille-Griego, Nicholas, Sierra & Athena Wille; Katie and Scarlet Fischer; Ananda & Shanti Christopher; Walker & Sylvi Foss; sister: DotElaine Yarworth, Austin, TX; numerous nieces and nephews.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, Dyas & Emma Rhoads; husband, Wayne, grandson, Cory Michael Christopher, brothers, Ellis Claire, Arnold Irvin and Glen Wayburne Rhoads, sister-in-law: Hattie Rhoads, brother-in-law, John Yarworth; and special friend and companion, Arthur R. Kabanuk.

Celebration of Life Service: Monday, July 9, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in Our Redeemers Church, Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot
Visitation: Sunday from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Congregational United Church of Christ or Our Redeemer's Christian School.