Obituary for Frank W. Christopherson, Jr. at Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home (original) (raw)

Frank W. Christopherson, Jr., 93, longtime East End Superior resident, died peacefully Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Marywood of Benedictine Assisted Living in Duluth, MN. He was born in Superior, May 24, 1927, the son of Frank and Yvonne (St. George) Christopherson Sr.

Frank graduated high school and went to attend Superior State College. He served his country honorably in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.

He was united in marriage to Marilyn Long in Superior in May, 1950, and they celebrated sixty-nine years of marriage before her passing in 2019.

Frank was active in his community and served on the Douglas County Board. He also served as State Assemblyman and was elected to serve as Wisconsin State Senator. In addition, he worked for Great Northern and BNSF Railroad for fifty-five years before retiring, and continued his service to the railroad industry through his volunteer work at the North Shore Scenic Railroad for many years. He also owned and operated newspapers in both Bayfield and Iron River, WI for many years.

Frank was a longtime active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Superior, and was a member of the Superior Knights of Columbus Council 403 where he was nominated to Master Knight status.

Frank loved spending time at his cabin with family and loved reading and history. He was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

He is survived by his daughters, Ann (Todd**)** Peck, of Florida and Beth Christopherson, Superior, WI; sons, Mike Christopherson, Superior, WI, Frank W. (Sara) Christopherson III, Grantsburg, WI, and John (Deb) Christopherson, Superior, WI; eight grandchildren; 2 great-grandsons; and brother-in-law, Mark (Sharyn) Long, St. Paul, MN, as well as nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn; and his parents.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM, Monday, December 21, 2020 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2316 E. 4th Street, Superior, and will continue until the 12:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Fr. James Tobolski as celebrant.

Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery where Military Honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post #435 Honor Guard.

Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, it is preferred that memorials be made to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum Frank Christopherson Fund in honor of his many years of dedicated service and volunteerism, c/o North Shore Scenic Railroad, 506 West Michigan Street, Duluth, MN 55802. Funds will be applied to the restoration and renaming of a railcar in Frank’s honor.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street, Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.

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