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Donald ‘Don’ Christoffersen

Donald (Don) G Christoffersen, 79, of Bruce, WI, formerly of Hudson, WI, passed away on April 23, 2016 at the Barron Care & Rehab Center in Barron, WI, after a short battle with cancer. Donald was born on August 27, 1936 in Denver, CO to Edwin and Gladys (Gass) Christoffersen

Don attended schools in Denver, Laramie, WY and Aurora, CO, graduating from Aurora High School in 1954. While in high school, he lettered in football, basketball and track. In football, he earned All Suburban honors his junior and senior year while earning Honorable Mention All Suburban his sophomore hear. That led to a scholarship to play football at Colorado State University. He went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering, graduating in 1959.

During his time at CSU, he met Laurien H House of West St. Paul, MN. On June 16th, 1957, they were united in marriage at his parent’s home in Denver. Their marriage was blessed with two children; son Mark born in 1958 and daughter Susan born in 1960. They suffered unimaginable tragedy in 1975 when Susan died following a car crash.

Don started his career working for the Colorado and California highway departments before settling in Rock Springs, WY, owning and operating a Gambles hardware and furniture store from 1961 through 1966. He then decided to resume his engineering career, moving back to California to work as an engineer for Humboldt County designing bridges. Another move in 1970 brought his family to Hudson, WI where he secured a position at Banister Engineering, which eventually became SEH. Over the next 25+ years, he served as city engineer for the Minnesota communities of Arden Hills, Shoreview and Lakeland. He also served on the Planning Commission for the City of Hudson along with serving as the engineer for the Hudson Water Department. During that same period, he also served multiple terms as Trustee for the Village of North Hudson.

Upon retiring in the mid 1990’s, he and Laurie built their retirement home on the shores of the Chippewa River north of Bruce. He also became “Chalkie” the clown for the Shrine Circus every April at the state fairgrounds in St. Paul. He loved interacting with the children and would revel in the hundreds of hugs he received over the years. Shortly before his death, he celebrated 50 years as a member of the Free Masons.

Don is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Laurien, of Bruce; son Mark of Aurora, CO; grandchildren Adam, of Hudson and Alyssa of Madison; brothers Kenneth (Doris) of Rock Springs, WY, Robert (Belinda) of Aurora, Co and Thomas of Salisbury, NC and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan and granddaughter Aryn.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:30pm on Wednesday, April 27, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S 11th St., Hudson. A Masonic service will be held at 1pm on Thursday, April 28, also at the funeral home. Interment of his ashes will follow the service at the Willow River Cemetery in Hudson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children – Twin Cities, 2025 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55414.

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