Obituary
Joanne Hazel Christenson
Joanne H. Christenson, 74 of La Crosse, lost her courageous battle with cancer in her home on Tuesday December 15, 2015 with family and friends by her side.
She was born in La Crosse to Cecil and Gladys (Ames) Slaback June 14, 1941. Joanne attended Logan High School where she went all the way through. She married Ken Christenson and they had four sons. Together they ran Ken’s Auto Repair along with the help of their sons. After 39 years of marriage, Joanne and Ken divorced.
Joanne is survived by her sons, Ken Jr. (Cathy), John, Barry, and Jim (Karen), eight grandchildren; Kolton, Carter, Morgan, Kaleb, Allison, Breanna, Sam, and Jackson, three sisters; Cindy (Jegi) Peterson, Sharon (Mike) Hanson, Anna (Allen) Miller, brother Jim (Judy) Slaback, sister-in-law Lois Slaback and very special friend Chris Sveen. She was proceeded in death by her parents Cecil and Gladys Slaback, sister Deanna (Jerry) Viner, brother Ray Slaback, in laws Elmer and Echo Christenson, and her former husband Ken.
Joanne loved her family dearly and was always there for them. She was known as Ma Christenson to many of her son’s friends and her door (and her fridge for a beer) was always open to them.
In her younger years, Joanne enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, her horses and trips to Wyoming where she had many relatives and friends. In recent years, she took great pride in her lawn and loved her riding lawn mower.
As per Joanne’s wishes, her remains have been donated to science. A private family gathering is planned to celebrate this special lady. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
Joanne’s family wishes to thank the Gundersen Health System Hospice team as well as Cindy Peterson and Chris Sveen for their special care during the past four months.
Our thoughts and prayers to her family. Her boys were her life! She will be missed by many. Glad we have the memories of those winters spent snowmobile racing and enjoying life after the races were over.
Joanne was a great lady, I will miss her . we had many fun times up at the house. Playing cards or drinking games. Had many P.B.R’S with Joanne,Ken and the boys. That was some of the best memories made of my younger days. She will be missed. My thoughts to the boys and their families
Joanne & my sister Julene were long time friends. They could both talk a lot! Now I think they’re visiting with each other & yakking up a storm!
My deepest sympathies to the whole family. It isn’t easy to let someone you love go, no matter what the circumstances. Treasure all the good memories.
Jane Kruger