Levon 'Chris' Oreth Christopherson

Chris Christopherson, 92 of Clitherall, MN died on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the Battle Lake Good Samaritan Society.

Levon Oreth Christopherson was born on September 4, 1931, in Wadena, Minnesota the son of Fred and Ella (Bogan) Christopherson. He was baptized and confirmed in Nidaros Lutheran Church, attended the Vining School, then attended the Battle Lake Public School, where he was class president for four years, and a star basketball player, graduating in 1949. He enlisted into the US Navy, serving four years as a Medic, and was stationed at the Naval Base in San Diego, California. He was in law enforcement in Minneapolis, working with Gary Nelson with the BCA. Chris started Port-A-Lube in Minneapolis, a company with equipped service trucks servicing truck fleets in the metro area, and franchises were started all over the United States. He invented and patented the “Gopher Getter Junior” which was sold in stores all over the country.

Chris and Diane Lee were married on March 21, 1969 in Minneapolis, MN. They adopted two daughters, Tonja in 1976 and Nikki in 1984. They sold the trucking company and moved to Clitherall, MN. They opened an animal park and petting zoo along with a store by Old Town Camp. They purchased Otter Tail Lake Campground on Ottertail Lake along with owning the Battle Lake Laundromat and operated these businesses for twenty-one years. Chris then became a Real Estate Broker, sold real estate and he also drove school bus for the Battle Lake School for 29 years. He enjoyed music and singing, animals; especially his cows and horses, loved sports but most important to him was his family.

He is survived by his wife, Diane; two daughters, Tonja (Dr. Walter Samuel) McKay and Nikki (Joel) Smith; ten grandchildren: Brooklyn (Jarret) Martinson, Austin and Victoria Wensauer, Zoey McKenzie, Bohdan Samuel, Maverick Samuel, Skye and Millie Samuel, Nicholas (Hattie) Smith, Allison (Cory) Pace; two great-grandchildren: Lincoln and Reagan Martinson; sister-in-law, Arlene Christopherson; and by numerous relatives and friends. Chris was preceded in death by four siblings, Orvell (Bea) Christopherson, Howard (Carol) Christopherson, Clayton Christopherson and Shirley (John) Huseby.

Memorial Service: 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Nidaros Lutheran Church of rural Clitherall. There will be a time at the funeral for anyone to get up and share stories about Chris. 

Visitation: Friday from 5 to 7 PM with a time to share stories at 6:00pm at the Nidaros Lutheran Church. There will be an hour visitation before the funeral at the church. Military Honors by the US Navy Honor Guard.

Arrangements with Glende-Nilson of Battle Lake.

Condolences:GlendeNilson.Com