Harlan W. Christopherson, age 74, of the Town of Wilson, rural Ridgeland, WI passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Pioneer Nursing Home n Prairie Farm surrounded by family after his 5 year battle with cancer. He was born March 2, 1936 to Peter & Nora (Mork) Christopherson in the Town of Wilson where he was raised and attended school. He was baptized & confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. He graduated from Prairie Farm High School in 1954. He then worked in Minneapolis for Adjustable Joist doing construction work. On September 20, 1958, he was married to Shirley Salsbury in the Town of Prairie Farm. They lived in Minneapolis until he was drafted into the Army in January of 1959. Harlan was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and was later sent to Korea as a tank mechanic until December of 1960. Following his time in the service, he and Shirley lived in Rice Lake where he worked for Mathisen Tire. In September of 1962, they moved to the family farm east of Ridgeland and took over the operation in January of 1963. He was a dairy farmer until December of 1998 but continued to crop farm and raise beef. Harlan was and active member of New Hope Pine Creek Lutheran Church and the Ridgeland Community. He served several terms on the church council and was on committees that planned for the building of the parsonage and the Pine Creek fellowship hall and narthex. He was a member of the Ridgeland Fire Dept. for 33 years and served on the Ridgeland Cenex Cooperative Board for 20 years. He was also a supervisor and later chairman for the Town of Wilson. Harlan enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed his yearly Canada fishing trips with relatives and liked to take leisurely rides through the countryside on his Honda Goldwing. He will be remembered as a kind, helpful & generous man and for his great wit and sense of humor.



Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, sister: Donna Bergum, father-in-law: Earl Salsbury & brother-in-law: Jerry Salsbury. He is survived by his wife: Shirley, daughters: Susan Christopherson of Ridgeland & Linda (Joe) Bilodeau of Chetek, brother: Donald (Adeline) Christopherson of New Richmond, mother-in-law: Mabel Salsbury of Prairie Farm, brothers-in-law: Stanley (Norma) Bergum of Rice Lake, Allen (Connie) Salsbury of Prairie Farm & Robert (Julie) Salsbury of Ridgeland, sisters-in-law: Ruby (Ray) Nykanen of Clayton, Janice Salsbury & Judy (Gary) Becker all of Prairie Farm, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.



Funeral services will be (were) held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23 from New Hope Pine Creek Lutheran Church in the Town of Wilson, rural Ridgeland with Rev. Barbara Koch officiating and interment in the church cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Willard Hinzman American Legion Post #511 of Ridgeland. Visitation will be (was) held from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the church and also for the hour prior to services on Wednesday. Arrangements are with Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Homes, Dallas & Cameron