Ryan Andrew Christopherson

PORTAGE – Ryan Andrew Christopherson, 42, of Portage, passed away on Monday, September 10, 2018.

Ryan was born on July 2, 1976, in Menomonie, Wisconsin, the son of Gary and Barbara (Gorton) Christopherson. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on February 9, 1991. He often reflected on Psalm 34:18. He graduated from Pardeeville High School in 1994. He married Abigail Simonis on November 15, 2014, in Merrimac. Ryan was a co-owner and sales manager for Badger Contractors Rental/Supply. His #1 passion was his family. He was also passionate about wakeboarding and was teaching his daughter, Taylor, how to wakeboard and snowboard. Ryan participated in wakeboard competitions, including last year’s nationals in Georgia, where he took 4th place. He also enjoyed restoring cars with Grandpa Gorton, where he developed his love of vintage/muscle cars. He also enjoyed motorcycles, fishing, guitar playing and music, especially playing drums with his mom to Beach Boys music. Those who knew Ryan will always remember his beautiful smile and his contagious laugh.

He is survived by his parents, Gary and Barbara Christopherson of Pardeeville; wife, Abby Christopherson of Portage; daughters, Taylor Christopherson of DeForest and Taylor Hoiland of Portage; siblings, Laura Christopherson of Portage, Bethany (Matt) Hagen of Pardeeville, Erik Christopherson of Pardeeville; nieces and nephews, Leighton, Ellison, Grayson and Avalynn Faul; parents-in-law, Ronald (Deborah) Simonis of LaCrosse; brothers-in-law, Richard (Crystal) Simonis of LaCrosse, Chad (Gretchen) Marks of Sumpter, SC; his first wife and mother of Taylor Christopherson, Susan Sprecher-Bigler of DeForest; grandparents, Eileen Christopherson of Beloit, Esther Gorton of Eau Claire, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Marvin Gorton and Fred Christopherson.  

A Celebration of Life will be held at Johnny B’s at Saddle Ridge on Friday, September 21, 2018, at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), P O Box 49104, Baltimore, MD 21297.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.