Obituary of Daniel Lee Christopherson

Daniel L. Christopherson, age 68, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Friday, September 21, 2018 at Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids surrounded by his family.

Services will be at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids.  Pastor Rick Pickens will officiate.  Visitation will be from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.  The family requests those attending the visitation and service to consider wearing their favorite Packer, Brewer or Badger apparel.  Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.   

Dan was born November 29, 1949 in Bemidji, Minnesota to Ralph and Bernice (Tillman) Christopherson.  The family later moved to Wisconsin.  He graduated from Waukesha High School in 1967. 

Dan met his future wife, Karen Oldenburg, after Karen’s cousin set them up on a blind date.  Dan would soon propose to Karen but he was then drafted to serve in the United States Army.  He served from 1971-1974 and was stationed in Germany.

While home on leave from the Army, Dan and Karen were married on April 29, 1972 in Union Grove, Wisconsin.  After the wedding, the couple returned to Germany for Dan to serve out his time in the Army.  They made many precious memories while living in Germany including attending the 1972 Olympics.

Upon returning home from the military, Dan enrolled in college at the Milwaukee School of Engineering where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management.  Dan went on to work for Miller Brewing Company, DE Riley Company, Ahlstrom, and later Voith Corporation where he was employed until his retirement.

Dan loved his family and enjoyed making many memories with Karen, his boys and his grandsons.  He was a huge Wisconsin sports fan and enjoyed cheering on the Packers, Brewers and Badgers.  He enjoyed tending to his yard and crafting things with the many tools and different machinery he purchased over the years, including a lathe he purchased that he used to make handcrafted pens for his business, Dan’s Turnings.  Dan was an avid golfer and enjoyed golfing with his son, Ryan.  Dan’s golfing experiences included a special trip to California to golf with Ryan in a Bob Hope Classic where he met several celebrities.  Dan was blessed with the gift of gab and made friends just about everywhere he went.  His other interests included adding to his extensive golf ball and beer mug collection, watching James Bond movies, and listening to Polka music.

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Karen; three sons: Ryan (Meegan) Christopherson, Danbury, WI, Kyle Christopherson, Appleton, WI, and Kevin (Tina) Christopherson, Little Chute, WI; three grandchildren: Gunnar, Kouper and Evan; three step-grandchildren: David, Mack and Oliver; two brothers: Ralph (Sally) Christopherson, Tower, MN and John (Virgie) Christopherson, Oconomowoc, WI; sister, Mary (Pete) Juve, Yuma, AZ; and brother-in-law, David (Cherie) Oldenburg, West Allis, WI.  He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Bernice and in-laws, Ward and Sis Oldenburg. 

Memorials may be designated to Aspirus UW Cancer Center, Renaissance Race Against Cancer, or the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (www.cholangiocarcinoma.org).