Obituary
Daniel J. Christen
Daniel J. Christen passed away on February 7, 2023. He was born in La Crosse on October 20, 1973, to Mary Elaine Christen. Dan loved living in the Coulee Region where he enjoyed spending his free time biking, kayaking, hiking, and skiing, either solo, or with his many friends. He had a wanderlust and traveled often, spending time in Colorado, Arizona, Florida, and ocean cruising with friends. Since 2008 he has worked at Mayo Health System as a Data Analyst and served on the Mayo Clinic Health System Community Investment Committee. As testimony to Dan’s drive and determination to improve his life, he was in his final year of a bachelor’s degree program in data science. He always said, “dress for the job you want, not for the job you have”. He participated regularly in fundraising activities such as Cranksgiving, Soup, and The Dragon Boat Festival, with a group of his friends. He was full of life and sought adventure. He always had a smile on his face and was proud of his community. Dan was preceded in death by his mother, Mary. He is survived by his twin brother, Jonathan Christen and sister, Holly Hobson. Dan’s bright star shone too briefly. We will miss him. Rest in Peace my friend. Memorials can be made to La Crosse Soup through The La Crosse Community Foundation.
Dan, my dear, sweet friend, you will be so missed. The serendipity of bumping into you from time to time out and about, or actively seeking you out at Oktoberfest for my hug, will now be replaced by sweet memories from high school escapades, and beer tent hugs. Rest easy. I’m going to miss you so very much.
Dan was a kind friend who touched my life in the few brief years we knew each other. I have many fun pictures of Dan that I’d liked to share with others who loved him. I hope there will be some kind of gathering to acknowledge the good he did for both the community and in the lives of his many friends. I will miss him dearly and will cherish the memories of our times together.
I am so sorry to hear this news. Dan you always seemed to be on an amazing adventure. Your involvement in the community while pursuing your own professional development was inspirational.
Your smile and hugs are unmatched.
Miss you my friend.
Loving hugs and prayers of comfort over all who knew you.
Dan, I don’t usually regret staying off social media, but at least I maybe would have found out sooner & in a different way that we lost yet another member of our French Island Family. I just happened upon your obituary while looking for a different one & now Chad & I are both sitting here in shock with pain seeping into our hearts & a feeling of dread & almost panic as we wait for Adam to drop off our son so we can ask if he knew & didn’t tell us? If he has no idea what I’m talking about, I’ll have to break the news to him & I don’t want to do that to him again. He always looked up to you & considered you his brother no matter what, so I just know he’s going to be devastated. From classmates to friends to roommates to family by choice.
To Dan’s family, I’m so sorry for all you are going through & I wish I could help ease your pain somehow. While the pain will always be there, one day you will realize you are able to laugh at funny memories again without tears running down your face.
Dan, I hope you are somewhere sitting around a bonfire, jamming tunes & laughing with Chad, Rossi, Mike & Seth waiting for the rest of the French Island Clan to join you.
Julie (Johnson) & Chad Carey