Oakdale couple raises thousands for state fair bench day before sales end

After more than a decade and a half, the Minnesota State Fair has ended its personalized bench program. The news caught the attention of an Oakdale couple who knew they had one last chance to honor a friend they loved. Our Jason Rantala shows us why they say it was a case of divine intervention in a story you'll only see on W. C. C. O. Look how positive she is through multiple cancer battles, 100 sessions of chemo just went through Christine everything with just grace for more than eight years. So when the news came out last week, she never gave up. We saw the story on C. C. O. Actually couple Tina Payton and Michelle Moran thought what better way to honor their friend. Christine is a fair freak. She loves the fair. These are some of her many, many ribbons. She won the multiple state fair sweepstakes award winner. This is some of her work and she was just an incredible uh needle worker. We were like, you know, we got to get a go fund me. The two raised the $2500 people loved her needed for the commemorative bench. So they ordered it Wednesday night. We just got this feeling like that it was urgent. Not knowing just a day later sales would stop. She did it. I think she orchestrated this whole thing. This tribute to their friend just days before they'd say their final goodbyes. Christine passed away Saturday. It would just make her happy to know she's so loved, you know, and I mean she made everyone feel special, but her spirit will live on in a place she held close to her heart. If you go to the fair, find the yellow bench in the quadrant around creative activities and have a sit. Christine would love to meet you. Jason Rantala WCCO News online fundraising raised more than $700 over the goal. The rest of the money will go toward Coco's Heart Dog Rescue, a place for Christine donated her time.