Steven Foster Christenson was born Oct. 21, 1943, in Albert Lea, the son of Raymond and Hazel (Sward) Christenson. He attended Emmons Public School.

In the early 1980s Steven attended Pipestone Vocational School in Pipestone to learn meat cutting. On June 29, 1983, Steven was united in marriage to Sherry Perhus. They made their home in Pipestone for a short time. Steven and Sherry moved to a farm in central Todd County where they lived for many years. In 2006 they moved to Clarissa.

Steven worked for the Holiday Foods Grocery in Alexandria and later transferred to the Holiday in Long Prairie. After orking briefly in Bertha, Steven went to work for Central Bi-Products in Long Prairie. He retired from Central Bi-Products in 2008.

Steven was an avid fisherman; he loved to go fishing in summer and winter. Steven enjoyed raising his dogs and always kept two dogs at his home. Wolves intrigued Steven — he collected all forms of art representing wolves. Steven liked to visit and loved spending time with his grandchildren, and most recently, with his great-granddaughter.

On Tuesday, March 22, 2011, following a brief battle with lung cancer, Steven died at the age of 67. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sherry Christenson; his daughter, Dawn Rickert; his father, Raymond Christenson; and one brother, Raymond Christenson, Jr. Steven is survived by his mother, Hazel Christenson; son Mark Perhus and wife, Katy, of Alexandria; grandchildren, Shayla, Alicia and Brook Perhus and Rodney, Ashley and Bradley Rickert; one great-grandchild, Zanika Hanson; brothers, Palmer Christenson and wife, Kayla; Robert Christenson and wife, Marion; Willard Christenson and wife, JoAnne; Fred Christenson and wife, Claudia; David Christenson and wife, Sherri; Philip Christenson and wife, Judy; Victor Christenson; and Jon Christenson and wife, Debra; sisters, Marjorie Solberg; Rose Glienke and husband, Carl; and Nancy Walterman; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Capt, Deborah Jolly of the Willmar Salvation Army was the officiant. Visitation was from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home before the service.

Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home. More information can be found at www.andersonfuneral.net.