Christine Lee Brassfield, 63

Christine Lee Brassfield, 63, passed away February 11, 2024 at her home in Rapid City, South Dakota. 

Christie was born September 26th, 1960 to Charlie and Anne (Hinders) Henning in Waverly, IA. She was the youngest of 7 children. 

Christie grew up in Clarksville, IA and graduated from Clarksville High School in 1979. She obtained her degree in Business Office Clerical Studies from Hawkeye Technical Institute in Waterloo, IA, and then worked at Cuna Insurance Company in Waverly, IA. 

Christie met Rodney Hauptmeier of Woodward, IA, and they married May 23rd, 1981. They had two daughters, Ashley and Cherie. Rodney was in the Air Force and they lived in several states from 1981 to 1992 including Biloxi, MS, Rapid City, SD, Mather AFB in Sacramento, CA, Waverly, IA while Rod was deployed in Korea, Charleston, SC, then back to Rapid City, SD in 1992. Christie missed her family in IA during this time but 
always appreciated how it grew their family closer together, and enjoyed staying at home with her girls during this time. 
Christie began working for the Rapid City School District in 1992, as a secretary at North Middle School for several years then was transferred to Human Resources until 2003. She and Rod then moved to Cedar Rapids, where she worked for the Cedar Rapids school district at Roosevelt Middle School from 2004 until 2013. She and Rod then moved back to Rapid City, and she worked at South Middle School until 2017, then transferred to Education Services and worked there until she retired in 2023. Christie loved working in the school district; She genuinely loved and often spoke with joy of her many coworkers, staff, students, and parents. 
Christie kept a very strong faith and was an integral member in many church groups. She held leadership roles in youth and children's ministries and used her talents to help lead worship; she sang and played guitar at First Wesleyan Church for many years. She later implemented and lead a divorce care group at Fountain Springs Community Church in Rapid City, SD for several years. Christie had a heart for helping and serving others. She touched many lives with her beautiful heart, positive attitude, selflessness, and kindness. 

Christie met the love of her life, Jeff Brassfield, in 2019, and they married March 20th, 2020. They treasured each other, sharing laughter and teasing each other often. Christie especially loved dancing with Jeff, and attending the polka festival in Hill City, SD together each year. 

Christie deeply valued faith, family, and friends. She found so much beauty in God's creation- she loved to hike in the Black Hills with family and friends, and to snorkel in the ocean. Christie loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to laugh. She also loved listening to music, singing, playing guitar, dancing, and playing games. 

Christie will be remembered for many good things, but especially for her devout faith in God, her kindness and radiant positivity, and how she freely poured love into others.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her husband: Jeffery Brassfield of Rapid City, SD; daughters: Ashley (Hauptmeier) Leat of Rapid City, SD, and Cherie Hauptmeier-Lewey of Uvalde, TX; son-in-law: Jefferson Lewey of Uvalde, TX, and three grandchildren: Jack, Sonora, and Charles Lewey of Uvalde, TX; former son-in-law: Kirby Leat of Rapid City, SD; siblings: Shirley (Henning) Buccheri of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Donald and Judy Henning of Phoenix, AZ, Dennis and Carol Henning of Allison, IA, Dean and Dianne (Henning) Deike of Waverly, IA, Richard and Debbie (Henning) Folkerts of Waverly, IA; and, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, who were each cherished and adored greatly by her. 

She was preceded in death by her parents: Charlie and Anne Henning; sister and brother-in-law: Jerry and Julie (Henning) Backer; brother-in-law: Tony Buccheri; nephews: Joshua Henning and Bill Backer; and former spouse: Rodney Hauptmeier. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the family to create a memorial for Christie. 

Visitation will be Friday, February 16, 2024 from 4-6pm at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City, SD. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 11am at Fountain Springs Community Church , 2100 N Plaza Dr. Rapid City, SD.