| John C. “Chris” McDermid, 71 St. Cloud, MN September 12, 1951 – August 31, 2023 John Christian “Chris” McDermid, age 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 31st, 2023 following a courageous battle with brain cancer. He fought the good fight and never complained about a single thing along the way. Those who were around him throughout this journey marveled at his courage, humor, and positive outlook that never wavered. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, September 30th, 2023, at Atonement Lutheran Church in St Cloud, MN. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud. Chris was born on September 12th, 1951, to John and Esther (Nelson) McDermid. He was filled with joy and shenanigans from the day he was born. His love for music was evident throughout his entire life. After getting a Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College in Moorhead MN, he went on to teach music education to grades K – 12. The last 30 years of his teaching career were spent teaching Elementary Music for the Sauk Rapids – Rice School District. He was known as “Mr. McMusic” to hundreds of students over the years. Chris donated his body to the U of M Medical School Anatomy Bequest Program. He loved being a teacher and this program allows him the opportunity to continue being a teacher following his death. Chris met Kathy (Kranz) McDermid in the Fall of 1970 in Harmony Class at Concordia College and they were married in May of 1973. They spent 50 happy years together singing, traveling, sharing many musicals and concerts, taking long walks, and enjoying a life that was filled with love and laughter. You rarely saw one without the other. The absolute joy of their life together is their children, Aaron, Brett, Kari, & Sean. Six exceptional grandchildren added to the mix, making their family complete. Chris was a wonderful husband, dad, grandfather, son, brother, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. He was kind, gentle, loving and full of an amazing wit. He was a blessing to everyone who knew him. Chris is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Aaron, Brett (Susie), and Kari (Adam Rutherford) McDermid, Sean (Phea) Poch; sisters, Mary, Paula, and Bonnie (Gary Zulsdorf) McDermid; Grandchildren, Samara and Anja McDermid, Collin Rankin, Jack Rutherford, and Vanessa and Vincent Poch; brothers-in-law, Bob (Nancy) Kranz, Tom (Cheryl) Kranz, and Earl Fleck; Nieces and nephews, Nathan (Misha), Leah and Justin Fleck, Hannah and Emma Kranz, Aquilla Wilmes, Liriel (Sean) Halstead, Austin (Kelly) Lundeby, Adam Gault, and Sierra Rose (Darren) Reiley. Chris is preceded in death by his parents, John and Esther (Nelson) McDermid; mother-in-law, Myrtle Kranz; his sister, Gracia McDermid; and his sister-in-law, Connie (Kranz) Fleck. Memorials will be used to make a recording of a new choral piece that is being written in Chris’ name. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Givens Brain Tumor Center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Mpls, the St Cloud hospital rehab program, John Sipe for his kind, gentle PT sessions, CentraCare Home Health and Hospice for their constant, compassionate care, and all of the help, thoughts and prayers that came from our family and friends. |
