Robert G. Christensen

It is often said that a man is defined by the legacy he leaves. The legacy of Robert G. Christensen, was built upon a foundation of strength, a stubbornness to carve his own path, a determination to master all life had to offer, and a deep love for the land he farmed and the family he raised. He would often say that he was a “jack of all trades, but a master of none.” The truth is, there was nothing in life that this man did not achieve- whether it was an exceptional bowler featured on TV in 1968, in “Bowling with the Champs,” having a perfect game, winning the club golf championship in 1970, building the town fixture, The Tasty Freeze, that grew into the town favorite, Bob and Kay’s Family Inn, and farming until the age of 87. However, Robert would say that his most significant accomplishment in life would be his marriage to his beloved Kay, for 65 years, raising 6 successful children, and being grandfather to 17 and great-grandfather to 21 children- what a legacy indeed.

Robert G. Christensen died on November 27th, 2017, in the home he built; he was 91. Bob was born on the family farm on November 25th, 1926, and was the son of the late Nels H. Christensen and Anna E. (Mueller) Christensen. He graduated from Westfield High School in 1944, and was a life-long farmer. He is preceded in death by his wife Kay, his brothers Nels, Verle, Cyril, Lyle and his grandson Christopher Buchholz. Bob is survived by his children: daughter Lana (husband Joe Kopach, grandchildren Kim (Pete) Lien, great-grandchildren Madison, Kelsey and Zoe, Nikki (Eric) Nelson, daughter; Victoria (husband Larry McLaughlin, grandchildren Michelle (Craig) Wolff, great-grandchildren Brandon and Braylee, Jana (Justin) Dahms, great-grandchildren Breanna, Lexi, Jaxtin, and Coltin, Tyler (Lauren) McLaughlin); daughter Susan (husband Jim Buchholz, grandchildren Brigette (Tom) Field, Ali Buchholz and son/great-grandchild Tucker Buchholz, Danielle (Dan) Colling, great-grandchildren Kaitlynn, Emma, Evan and Avery); daughter Nancy (husband Russ Goldsmith, grandchildren Shanna (Jaime) Olivero, great-grandchildren Kaden, Kyler and Kayanna, Shane (Vanessa) Goldsmith); daughter Mary (husband Mike Mades, grandchildren Isaac, Hannah, and Haley); son Andy (wife Jackie Christensen, grandchildren Amber (Jed) Vossekuil, great-grandchildren Gavin, Nolan, Weston, grandson Dustan Christensen, Zachary (Kalie) Christensen and great-grandson Korbin).

A Celebration of Life gathering for Bob will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Westfield Community Center, 129 E. 3rd St., Westfield.  Please wear your favorite Packer, Badger, Brewer or Pioneer gear to honor Bob.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bob will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Westfield with Father Paulraj Sellam officiating.  A visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. at Steinhaus-Holly Funeral Home in Westfield.  Inurnment will be in Westfield East Cemetery at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials will be used towards a bench that will be placed at the Pioneer Memorial Park Splash Pad.

We want to give a special thank you to Kara Gundrum. We are more grateful to you than words could ever express. Few people possess the considerate and unselfish loving heart that you have and even fewer are willing to give so much of themselves. We thank you for your kindness and for being the wonderful, amazing person you are. We are blessed to have you in our lives.

We would also like to thank Kathy Hockerman for providing such exceptional comfort, care and compassion to our father. Your discussions about farming were the highlight of his day and we cannot thank you enough.

Please take a moment to view the online guestbook.  Send your condolences or share a memory of Bob with his family & friends.