Christopher Molitor
Christopher James Molitor, age 64, of Gilman died at his home Thursday, February 4, 2021. A private family funeral service was held Tuesday, February 9 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Grinnell. Burial was in St. Patrick Cemetery, Waukon.
Chris was born the son of Eldon and Carol (Stubbe) Molitor January 10, 1957 in Waukon. He was raised in Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School with the class of 1975. Growing up on a farm, Chris spent many seasons balancing school and farm work with his dad and siblings. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture in 1980. He completed graduate work at all three major Iowa universities.
March 22, 1986, Chris was united in marriage to Deborah (Deb) Barker at St. Michael Catholic Church in Columbus, NE. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Amanda, and a son, Stephen. They lived in Columbus, NE for a short while and later, Melbourne. In 1991 they moved to Gilman and raised the children.
Chris’ passion was teaching others, and he started his career as an ag teacher and FFA sponsor at Grinnell High School. He really shone as the physical science teacher at Grinnell High School which he taught for 26 years, retiring in June 2017.
Chris and Deb are longtime members of St. Mary Catholic Church in Grinnell, where he served as a eucharistic minister. Chris was a Boy Scout Leader, coached many youth sports teams, and was the proud coach of the Physics Olympics teams for Grinnell High School.
Chris’ greatest joy and love was his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved to dance with them in the living room, pull wagons, fix toys and build nursery furniture. He was an outdoorsman who spent countless hours farming, hunting, fishing, gardening, and most recently, birdwatching. He and Deb traveled together, never taking the “short way” and always finding a monument or state park to explore. Chris will be remembered for being a handyman, an educator to many students, for being dedicated, particular and intense, and for the strong love of his family.
Chris is survived by his wife of 34 years, Deb Molitor of Gilman; his daughter, Amanda (Kyle) Wiebers of Des Moines, and their children, Everett and Juliet; his son, Dr. Stephen (Alison) Molitor of Minneapolis, MN and their soon to be born daughter; and his siblings, Jeff Molitor of Waukon, Dr. Julie (Lowell Beneshiek) Molitor of Canon City, CO, Elizabeth (Scott) Swartzendruber of Joetown and Michael Molitor of Minneapolis, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Steven Molitor; and his sisters, Jeanne Marie Molitor and Mary Ann Molitor.
Memorials may be designated to Grinnell High School FFA Chapter or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Chris’ family online at www.smithfh.com.
