Lee Christopher Christopherson

   Lee Christopher Christopherson, age 76, passed away peacefully on June 
8, 2019, with is beloved daughter by his side.
   Dad was born September 1942, in Rochester, MN, to Harold and Milly 
(Peters) Christopherson.  Dad had developed a lifelong love of horses on 
his parents farm.  He drove his ponies everyday doing farm chores with 
his trusty pup, Tuffy.  He was a 1960 graduate of John Marshall High 
School in Rochester,  MN.
   In 1962, Dad joined the United States Navy.  Some of his fondest 
memories were traveling with and serving in the military in foreign 
locales such as Spain.  While he worked in the Navy, he was actually an 
aircraft mechanic.  Working on aircraft fuselages and braking systems.  
Upon leaving the Navy in 1965, Dad took advantage of the GI bill to 
purchase his beloved farm. Life was great but something was missing.  
And,  once his dog strayed from home, he found it… my mom, Mary 
Jane.
   One day, while visiting her horse, Mom did something that would alter 
the course of their lives… she picked up a stray dog.  This stray dog 
belonged to Dad.  Grateful to her, Dad took her to dinner to say thanks. 
   Dad loved Mom's jolliness.  Mom loved that she found someone who shared 
her passion for animals,  especially horses.  On April 22, 1975, Mary 
Jane and Lee tied the knot at Root Prairie Lutheran Church in Fountain, 
MN.  They welcomed the best (and most humble) daughter, Katherine, in 
October, 1979.
   A mighty wind took Dad's big old red barn down one Spring day.  That was 
what it finally took to bring a lifetime of Dairy farming to an end for 
Dad.  A couple years later,  Mom joined him in retirement.
   Dad and Mom enjoyed 11 years of retirement together on their farm.  They 
placed portions of the farm into conservation programs and planted 
wildflowers along the waterways.  They cared for the wildlife and even 
rescued their beloved donkey, Dominick.
   Shortly after losing Mom in 2018, Dad's health started to decline.  He 
moved closer to his Daughter.  He quickly became a favorite of the staff 
at the Hiawatha Care Center.  Becoming affectionately known as Papa Bear 
or Pops.  He helped tend chickens,  garden,  and even became an honorary 
postman helping to deliver mail to all the residents everyday.  He 
taught many a nurse and CNA how to properly put on a pair of bibs.  He 
always had eyes for Mom though, and saw her at every turn.

    He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Mary Jane 
(Jackson) Christopherson; his mother; Mildred (Peters) Christopherson; 
his father, Harold Christopherson; his brother, Gary Christopherson.
   Dad is survived by his daughter, Katherine Wilson (Christopherson), and 
son-in-law, Tyler Wilson; a sister, Brenda Christopherson; a niece, 
Aimee Griffin; a niece, Julie Nunez (her daughter, Isabella); a nephew, 
Peter Griffin.
   It took him a bit, but I'm confident Dad has found Mom again.  He never 
stopped seeking her.
   Memorial Gathering and Celebration of Life for Lee will be Thursday, June 13,2019, 5-7 p.m. at Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield.

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