Paul Stephen Christenson

Paul Stephen Christenson

Cedar Rapids

Paul Stephen (Steve) Christenson, 79, passed away at Cottage Grove Place on Sunday, May 29, 2022, surrounded by family. He was born in Stoughton, Wis., on May 19, 1943, the son of Paul and Kathryn Christenson. Steve graduated from Stoughton High School where he was a member of one of the first Norwegian Dancer groups. He played football for Milton College and graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Business Administration. In 1965 Steve married Kristin Hillestad, who was the love of his life for 50 years. Steve served as a Senior Manager with various state agencies during his 33-year career in Human Resources.

Steve enjoyed spending quality time with his friends and family. He had a dry sense of humor and quick wit that engaged those around him. He was an intelligent man of great integrity and set high standards for himself and those around him.

Music and community service were an integral part of his life, and he was in involved in numerous philanthropic and service-based organizations. Some examples include the Edvard Grieg Chorus, Christ Lutheran Church, Stoughton Lyons Club, Dane County Friends of Norwegian Culture and numerous local organizations located within the Stoughton community.

Steve is survived by his sister, Susan Aeschlimann and nephew, Paul of Oklahoma City, Okla.; three daughters, Anne (Mike) Hall and Laura (Dan) Anderson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Susan (Jason) Model of Stoughton. In addition, grandchildren Doug, Ellen, Thomas (Muiel), Davis, Nicholas, Jacob (Katelyn), Mitchell, Ben and Lauren, as well as great-grandchildren, Heidi and Owen, will miss him immensely. He also leaves behind a wonderful network of supportive friends that greatly enriched his life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kristin; as well as his parents, Paul and Kathryn Christenson.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, at Christ Lutheran Church, 700 County Rd. B, Stoughton, Wis., with the Rev. Paula Geister-Jones officiating. Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon immediately following the services. Private family burial will take place at Eastside Cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until the time of services at church on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church of Stoughton, Wis., or the Edvard Greig Chorus.

A special thanks goes to his best friend, John, and longtime family friend and caregiver, Peggy. His daughters would also like to thank the team at Tender Hearts Senior Care, as well as Lori and Regina, who helped honor Steve’s wishes to remain in his home as long as possible. The family is especially grateful to Keystone Cedars for enriching dad’s last few months with wonderful music and food, two of his favorite things. Cottage Grove Place and Compassus Hospice gave excellent care in his final days.

Please share your memories of Steve by posting on his Tribute Wall at: www.cressfuneralservice.com. Cress Funeral Service, 206 W. Prospect Street, P.O. Box 231, Stoughton, WI, 53589. (608) 873-9244