Dennis Christophersen, 61

Dennis Pete “Denny” Christophersen, 61, of Hudson died suddenly Saturday, Dec. 13, at Hudson Hospital following an apparent heart attack.

Denny was born on March 2, 1947, in Stanley, the son of L. Pete and Maxine (Thorson) Christophersen.

He was raised in Thorp, graduating from Thorp High School in the class of 1965.

He was drafted in the United States Army, serving in Europe during the Vietnam War. Here, he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with his soul mate, so on Oct. 11, 1968, in Bamburg, Germany, at the Army Chapel he married the former Cindy Smasal. They made Hudson their home and were blessed with three children: Trent, Tyler and Tara.

Denny will be remembered for his many years of dedicated service to the city of Hudson water department. He worked his way through the ranks, most recently water superintendent and water utilities director. Three in the afternoon or three in the morning, he answered many calls for help.

Denny loved being surrounded by his family and friends. Being called coach, for his kids, growing up through Booster Baseball or Hudson Jr. Basketball was paramount. That became even better when he was called grandpa.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting with the crew or family at a cabin near Hayward. He also enjoyed tinkering around the garage and could fix most anything. Denny lived by the Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” He worried about others and frequently served as peacemaker, trying to make everyone happy.

Denny is survived by his wife, Cindy; children, Trent, Ty (Bobby) and Tara (Jim) Anthony; grandchildren; T.J., Emilee, Brittnie Rayne, Thelma and Neva; his father, L. Pete Christophersen; brothers/sisters-in-law, Sylvia (Merlin) Gerrits, Trudy Timm, Tom (Mariann) Smasal, Kristine (Ron) Speich, Cheryl (John) Ahle and Tony Smasal; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Maxine Christophersen; parents-in-law, Sylvester “Snooks” and Cecelia Smasal.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson with Fr. John Parr officiating.

Burial with full military honors was provided by the Hudson VFW at the Willow River Cemetery in Hudson.

Visitation was one hour prior to the service at church and Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, (715) 386-3725, www.oconnellfuneralhomes. com.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the family.

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