Ron Christensen

Ron B. Christensen “RC”, age 47, of Waconia, MN, formerly of Litchfield, MN, died on September 22, 2009 at his home in Waconia, MN. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 26 at the Moravian Church in Waconia, MN. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield, MN, and will continue one hour prior to the service in Waconia, MN. Ronald Bruce Christensen was born May 23rd, 1962, in Tyler, Minnesota. He was the fourth child of Bruce Arnold and Jean Elizabeth Christensen and little brother to 7 year old Nancy Gwen, 4 year old Sally Beth and 3 year old Bradley Peter. As the kids grew a bit older, the now family of six spent many happy summers traveling to visit Danish grandparents in Solvang, California. Ron always had a golden summer tan. Ron attended the Litchfield Public schools during which time Ron was an exceptional athlete and musician. Ron’s favorite sport was hockey where he excelled as a Dragon player. Many of Ron’s high school friends still talk about escapades on and off the ice. It also helped Ron develop a monster swing which would later follow him to the golf course. Ron was a talented musician who played many instruments. His favorite of all was drums. Ron could bang the skins like no one else. He played in the high school band and later played in a rock and roll band. When Ron was not banging a drum stick he was swinging a golf club. Ron loved to golf and most who called Ron his friend had played the links with him a time or two. After high school Ron took to the road for a short while with a construction crew traveling to several states. But it was his love for music and his naturally gifted musical ear that brought him back to Litchfield where he became a partner with his father in Christensen’s Piano Service. Ron’s musical ear and big smile made him a well loved piano tuner working in a business that he loved. As the youngest sibling Ron was also the cool, funny, and constant joking Uncle. All the nieces and nephews loved Uncle Ron. In his final week of his life nephews and nieces traveled long distances to Waconia to hug Uncle Ron and tell him just how much they loved him. Music was at the center of Ron’s life for the first two-thirds of his life until he found love in Jennifer Roe. They were married on November 2, 1996, and made their home in Waconia. Ron and Jennifer were blessed with two beautiful children, Andrew Roe and Julia Cecelia. To say Ron was a proud dad was an understatement. Nothing brought Ron more joy than Drew and JC. As a dad, Ron could do anything from being a tickle monster to being a spooky ghost outside on Halloween to making his famous “fluffer nutter sammiches.” He shared his musical talent with his children when he changed the lyrics to songs in a most humorous way that made everyone laugh. Ron also loved the quiet times he spent reading to Drew and JC. Although Ron and Jennifer later divorced, his children remained the focal point of his life. As fate would have it, on July 17, 2006, Ron’s path crossed with Beth Bontjes as it had more than two decades ago. They became reacquainted and fell in love. Ron gladly welcomed Beth’s daughters, Saydi and Savannah, into his life. When Ron was diagnosed with cancer, and later during all of his treatments, Beth remained by his side, caring for him and loving him. Beth was the love of Ron’s life and he sealed that love with a marriage proposal. Ron faced his journey with cancer the way he wanted to, with bravery and determination. He died with dignity and peace at home, under the care of the love of his life, on September 22, 2009. Many will remember Ron for his big engulfing hugs and perfect massages he so willingly gave away. His sense of humor and love for life will be cherished. Ron is survived by his two children, Andrew and Julia of Waconia, fiancée, Beth Bontjes and her two daughters of Hutchinson, father, Bruce Christensen of Alexandria formerly of Litchfield, sisters, Nancy (LeLand) Smith of Sauk Rapids and Sally Paffrath and her husband Tim Fisher of Alexandria, brother, Bradley Christensen of Alexandria, several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his grandparents and his mother Jean.