Obituary for Ronald J. Christensen
Ronald J. Christensen, 59, passed away at Columbia St. Mary’s on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022.
Ron was born in Racine on March 19, 1963, to Richard and Rosemarie (nee: Anderson) Christensen. He was a lifelong Racine resident and remained active in the community. Ron reconnected with the love of his life, Nancy Daams, and on March 20, 2021, they were united in marriage. Last year, he built their forever home in a short four months which was a month too long for his liking! This was accomplished with the help of many friends and especially his sidekick, Byron.
Ron was a hard worker and always right there to help others, whether just to meet for breakfast at Sausage Kitchen, lend his equipment to a friend, squeeze in a concrete job for family, or share his business knowledge with others. Ron was a member of the Harbor Lite Yacht Club, where he enjoyed playing “cardboard crack” with his boating friends, participating in the cardboard boat races and even winning the sauerkraut eating competition at the yacht club’s German Fest event.
You always knew when Ron entered the room because of his bigger-than-life personality. Ron never missed the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and always joked that the parade was “his” parade because it was always on his birthday weekend. Ron was also very patriotic and always attended the Fourth of July Parade. He had a sensitive heart and teared up when the military floats went by. He most looked forward to challenging the Horlick High School football team to a pushup match. He never missed a photo op and gave his phone to his wife to capture all of these memorable moments.
Those who knew him well, often saw him with a phone on each ear and commonly heard him say “wait a minute, can I call you right back?” Anywhere he went in the community; downtown, Menards, Sausage Kitchen or in the Marina, it was difficult to get to his destination without seeing, talking or flagging down someone he knew. Ron’s zest for life was infectious to everyone he touched and his motto was “you can’t take it with you when you go!” Even in death, Ron is giving back through the donation of his organs.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Christensen; son, Cody O’Neil; stepchildren, Joe (Alyssa) Daams, Jordan (Emma Krase) Daams, Madison (Michael Winkler) Daams, and McKenna Daams; those who he considered his sons, Justin Hergins, Devin Cain and Cody Listrom; grandchildren, Draven, Marlowe, Mylah and Joann; brothers, Robert, Richard (Toni) and Thomas Christensen; nieces and nephews, Laura, Lisa, David, Jeremy, Adam, and Rachel. Ron is also survived by his mother and father-in-law, Byron and Judy Verheyen; and brother and sisters-in-law, Steve (Julie) Verheyen and Lisa (Steve) Piette. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, James and Linda; sister, Sharon Fenkl; and niece, Jodi Zanis.
Services
A visitation for Ron Christensen will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Purath-Strand Funeral Home. Private inurnment will take place. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family have been suggested.
Obituary and photo courtesy of Purath-Strand Funeral Home.
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