Jeffrey Christenson

Jeffrey “Jeff” Christenson, 68, of Neenah, Wisconsin, passed away on April 25, 2026.

Jeff was born on February 12, 1958, and grew up in Neenah, where he would spend most of his life. He graduated from Neenah High School and went on to serve in the United States Army as a military policeman, spending much of his service in Germany. After returning home, he worked for many years at the Kimberly-Clark mill in Neenah, primarily in the boiler room.

He married his wife Ann, and together they built a life and raised a family in the home they would share for nearly 40 years, along the shore of Lake Winnebago. After Ann’s passing in 2014, Jeff remained deeply connected to that home and the life they had built there.

Jeff could fix or build almost anything. He put a new roof on his house himself, rebuilt cars over the years, installed a wood-fired furnace, and took pride in the steady work of maintaining a home—mowing the lawn, swapping out storm windows, keeping things running. He was a natural problem solver, a builder, and a maker; skills and sensibilities he learned largely from his parents.

He was also an accomplished, if unassuming, artist. He loved to draw and work with wood, often focusing on birds and other elements of nature. Nearly all of his work was given away to family and friends, a reflection of his quiet generosity.

Jeff had a dry, sometimes unexpected sense of humor and was often at his best when he was being playful—spreading improbable tall-tales about Bigfoot or aliens, offering an old saying that may or may not have fit the moment, or performing a simple hand trick that never seemed to get old. He had a deep love for music, especially the blues, Americana, and rock and roll. He played harmonica well and banjo enthusiastically, and was known to fill the house with music (often played just a little too loud).

He was a private and gentle person, soft-spoken and steady, someone others naturally relied on. He preferred the familiarity of home, though he loved camping and long road trips. He had a lifelong appreciation for the classics—antiques, the “old world,” and family land in northern Wisconsin—and a strong sense of connection to the past.

He found comfort in simple routines and familiar things: potato chips, ice cream, old-fashioned cookies and donuts, cereal, and a Rolling Rock. He wore his Levi’s nearly every day. He loved and, at times, wrestled with living on the lake, but the sunrises over Lake Winnebago were among his favorite sights, and he shared them often.

Above all, Jeff was a devoted father and grandfather. He taught his family not only how to fix things, but how to keep going, how to solve problems, and how to find moments of humor along the way. Much of what his children know and are able to do can be traced back to him—through the things he showed them, the problems he helped them solve, and the life he built for them. His presence will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his children: Charlie (Maddie) Christenson, and their daughters Betty and Edie; Angela Christenson; and Emily (Matt) Gettendorf, and their children Stella and August. He is also survived by his siblings: Steve (Lynn) Christenson and Sarah Christenson; as well as many extended family members, including Bennie, his beloved dog.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Christenson; and his parents, Betty and LeRoy "Charlie" Christenson.

A private family gathering will be held at his home. Burial arrangements are being planned for Oak Hill Cemetery in Neenah. The family asks for privacy at this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wisconsin Public Broadcasting.