Colin Callister

Colin Carroll Callister was born on July 5, 1944 in Faribault, MN, the youngest son born to Stanley and Margaret "Marge" (Salzwedel) Callister. He attended school in Cannon Falls, graduating from the Cannon Falls High School in 1962. He continued his education at the University of MN – St. Paul Campus and the University of WI – River Falls, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education in 1971 and his Masters in School Counseling in 1973. He married the love of his life, Sharon Ailie, on August 5, 1967 at the First Congregational Church in Cannon Falls. They raised their family on the family farm in Douglas Township, where Colin farmed throughout most his life. Colin enlisted in the US Navy Reserve in 1964.He was ordered to immediate active duty. Colin was assigned to the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. As a result of his service during the crisis between the Soviet Union and the United States, Colin was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Most of his tour of duty was served attached to Helicopter ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) squadron 814 stationed onboard the USS Randolph, a part of the Atlantic carrier fleet. Colin achieved the rank of Petty Officer Second Class (E-4), and was also a qualified sonar operator and flew missions with the squadron Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopters. Service aboard the USS Randolph represented deployment to the Mediterranean to back up the 6th fleet based in Naples, Italy, monitoring activity in the Middle East. Colin was released from active duty in 1966 and served the remainder of his Naval commitment in a reserve status out of NAS Minneapolis. His military obligation expired with an honorable discharge in 1969. He had been employed at the Randolph High School as a counselor from 1973-83, until he and Sharon had the opportunity to be dorm parents at the Christian Academy in Japan for two years. After their family's return, Colin was a counselor at White Bear Lake High School – South Campus from 1985 until his retirement in 2003. Colin was active in his church and community; he was a member of Riverwood Community Church in Cannon Falls, volunteer with the Cannon Falls Food Shelf, nursing home ministry, and prison ministry. He was also involved in music ministry, where he had sung with the "Gospel Generation" as a quartet and sextet, and after retirement with Lila Engstrom in "Make a Joyful Noise." He had been a member of the Minnesota School Counselors Association, Minnesota Education Association, Minnesota Personnel and Guidance association, Randolph Teacher's Association, and White Bear Lake Teacher's Association. Colin was happiest when spending time with his wife and family, especially grandsons Hudson and Colin Carter, extended family and many friends. Throughout his life he enjoyed participating in many sports, especially canoeing and fishing with son Matt, and working out at Snap Fitness. He and Sharon attended all 26 of son Aaron's bodybuilding competitions. Now the promoter of the Mr./Ms. Natural Minnesota invitational, Aaron dedicated the 2010 and 2011 shows to his dad. Ever since playing drums in the high school band under the direction of Roger Risty, Colin loved music performance. After taking voice lessons as an adult from Char Althoff, he focused on singing. Colin and Sharon were able to take many trips together since his retirement, especially delighting in those that involved hiking in beautiful settings. Colin also liked to tinker in his shop with the family dog by his side. Other highlights to his retirement were tending to Pine Creek Vineyard with daughter Kristin Joy, and working with Vincent, Bob, and the "A-Team" bottling at Cannon River Winery. Colin always saw the best in every person he met regardless of age. He took great joy in mentoring youth throughout his life. His greatest love of all was Jesus Christ to whom he gave his life as a young man. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sharon; his children, Aaron (Renee) of Chaska, Kristin Joy (Vince) Neumann of Cannon Falls, Matthew (Kavitha) of Woodbury and Eric Svien (Carin Offerman) of Mound; two grandsons, Hudson Neumann and Colin Carter Callister; brothers and sisters, William (Shirley) of Cannon Falls, Patricia (Bill) Boehne of Bloomington, Mavis (Bruce) Johnson of Cannon Falls and Dennis (Angela) of LaQuinta, CA; sister-in-law, Darlene Callister of Northfield; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by many special people: his "Little Sister," Rosemarie Martinez of Minneapolis; foster daughter, Robin Thompson of Rockford, IL and her children, Mykel Taylor, Autumn Taylor and Christina Wyke; goddaughters, Laura Berquist of Wolsey, SD and Melissa Mestas of Minneapolis; confirmation mentees, Catherine Johnson and Madison Langdon, both of Cannon Falls; and 18 dormitory daughters from Christian Academy in Japan: Jacquie, Kim, Judy, Amy M., Jill, Katie, Lisa, Stephanie, Anne Marie, Lily, Kathleen, Christie, Lisa, Amy D., Kimi, Jenny, Dorothy, and Rebekah. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gary Ross Callister; his parents, Stan and Marge Callister; and foster son, Sean Thompson. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 29 from 4-8 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, December 30 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation at church from 10-11 a.m., at St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, with Pastor Dan Feldkamp and Pastor Paul Paurus of Riverwood Community Church officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Cannon Falls Cemetery, with Taps being played by nephew Scott Boehne and great nephew Dustin Safe. Active pallbearers will be nephews Chip Callister, Alan Boehne, Brian Boehne, Scott Boehne, David Callister, Michael Johnson and Curt Callister. Honorary pallbearers will be his brothers and brothers-in-law, Bill Callister, Dennis Callister, Bruce Johnson, and Bill Boehne. Memorials can be given in Colin's memory to Riverwood Community Church to be used for the youth room, the music or mission ministries, the Cannon Falls Veterans Memorial, CaringBridge, Fairview Red Wing Hospice, or to melanoma research at Mayo Clinic.

Funeral Home: Lundberg Funeral Home 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd Cannon Falls, MN US 55009

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Service
Friday, December 30, 2011
Graveside Service
Friday, December 30, 2011

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