Alf Maurice Christopherson

Alf M. Christopherson, age 93, Watertown, formerly of the Naples/Vienna communities, died peacefully early Wednesday morning, March 27, 2013 in the Golden Living Center at Clark with his daughter by his side. He had resided in the care center since November of 2012. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 29, 2013 from 4-6PM at the Furness Funeral Home at Clark. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 1:00 PM in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Vienna with The Reverend Keith Garness and Pastor Scott Dempster officiating. There will be no reviewal at the church prior to the funeral. Spring burial will be in the Vienna Lutheran Cemetery. Dorothy Fuller will be the organist with special music from Don Siem. Serving as honorary casketbearers will be his grandchildren, Stacey & Eric Christopherson, Jessica Templeton and Adam and Kevin Matson. The active casketbearers will be Shane Ladwig, Jamie Templeton, Jerry & John Schmidt, Austin Christopherson, Larry Buck and Basil and David Englert. He was born Alf Maurice Christopherson on April 3, 1919 at Naples, SD, the son of Norwegian immigrants, Andrew and Marie (Kjeikerud) Christopherson. He graduated from the 8th grade in Foxton Township country school. On December 4, 1943 he was united in marriage to Eleanor Idelle Fryslie. The couple lived and farmed near Vienna. Eleanor died on April 20, 1986. Alf moved to Watertown in the late 1980's where he has lived since until moving into the Golden Living Center at Clark last November. He was a longtime member of the Pleasant Lutheran Church near Vienna until the church burned in the early 1960's at which time he joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Vienna. After he moved to Watertown he joined Grace Lutheran Church. Over the years Alf enjoyed bible study, devotions and attending worship service. Besides his love of the land, Alf also enjoyed fishing, playing Bingo and looking at (as he would say) sports on television, especially the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Alf will long be remembered for his enjoyment of socializing and visiting with others. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, brothers, Nels & Odean and sisters, Clara Kroutil, Margaret Ladwig and Anna Kittelson. Survivors include his children, David Christopherson of Rapid City and Colette (Kenneth Matson) Christopherson of Aurora, CO, a sister, Hazel Ness of Clark, brother-in-law and special caregivers to Alf, Don and Liz Fryslie of Watertown, grandchildren, Stacey Christopherson & Eric (Angela) Christopherson, Jessica (Jamie) Templeton, and Adam and Kevin Matson; great-grandchildren, Rachel, Austin, Chloe, Annika, Whitney and Haley and great-great grandchildren, Aryanah, Liam and Kiegan. Furness Funeral Home of Clark is serving the family where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.