A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 28, 2011, at Sacred Heart Church, 150 Second St. SE in Hayfield, with Reverend William Kulas officiating. Visitation will be two hours before the service at the church on Thursday. Inurnment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield.

Dr. Christine Kaye Severson, 43, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ after a long illness.

Christine was born on Feb. 16, 1968, to Victor and Marie (Amundson) Severson in Austin. She attended high school in Hayfield.

Dr. Christine Severson obtained her doctoral degree at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She earned her Master’s degree at Buena Vista University in Iowa and graduated with high honors from IUP in 1999.

Christine was a long-time, popular professor of English at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J. She was also an author and poet – her anthology of poetry, “My Chosen Prison” was published in 2009. Her dedication to her students and her student-centered approach was recognized and deeply appreciated by one and all. Chris will always be remembered for her deep love of animals and her commitment to animal care. She will be greatly missed by her students, her friends, family and pets.

Christine is survived by her loving husband, Richard of Highland, N.J; stepson, Niklaus; her mother, Marie of Hayfield; sisters, Cheryl (Bob) Lane of Chatfield, Minn., Sheila (Roy) Erickson of Pilot Mound, Minn., Candace (Mike) Miller of Danbury, Conn.; Jean (Joel) Dahlen of Hayfield, Jane (Dale) Schlichting of Hayfield; brothers, Eric (Cathy) Severson of Kasson, Rodney (Cindy) Severson of Kasson; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father.

Family prefers memorials to the Rochester Channel One Food Bank, Hayfield Public Library, Hayfield Schools Library or Paws & Claws. Czaplewski Family Funeral Home in Hayfield is in charge of arrangements.