Dorothy Mae Christenson

Dorothy Mae Christenson, age 83, of Hixton, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on
February 7, 2026, at Pigeon Falls Healthcare Center.
She was born on December 12, 1942, in Black River Falls (Brockway), Wisconsin, to
Edward and Betty (Poff) Gehring. Dorothy grew up in Black River Falls, where she
graduated from high school.
On February 12, 1966, she married Larry Dean Christenson in Blair, Wisconsin.
Together they built a home in Hixton and raised three sons—Dean, Duane, and
Dennis—creating a warm and lively household filled with love and laughter. Dorothy
began her working years at Grandview Nursing Home in Blair before moving into her
longtime and much-loved career as a school bus driver. She also worked in the school
lunchrooms, where her kindness and steady presence touched many students over the
years.
She was known for her creativity and generosity—baking cakes for birthdays, weddings,
and special occasions, and crafting tie blankets that became treasured gifts. Dorothy
loved visiting with people, family gatherings for Holidays and Birthday parties, laughing,
dancing, and her sweets. She especially cherished time with her grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, whether coloring together, or simply enjoying their company.
She is survived by her sister, Mary (Gehring) Reinstra; two brothers-in-law, Victor
Johnson and Ronald Christenson; and her two sons, Dean (Donna) Christenson of
Northfield and Duane (Katy) Christenson of Black River Falls. Dorothy was blessed with
six grandchildren—Derick (Leanne) Christenson, Jennifer (Brandon) Prew, Christopher
(Trisha) Christenson, Kasondra, Elly, and Jennings Christenson—and fifteen great-
grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense joy.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; her youngest son, Dennis; her
parents, Edward and Betty Gehring; her sisters, Betty (Gehring) Johnson and Marjorie
(Gehring) Lechner; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jennings and Grace
Christenson.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 20th, at Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home in
Hixton from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 21st,
at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Hixton at 11:00 a.m., with a lunch in the church
basement following the cemetery service. She will be laid to rest in Sechlerville
Cemetery, alongside her husband, Larry, and her son, Dennis.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the Pigeon Falls Healthcare
Center staff for the care and kindness shown to Dorothy during her time there, and to
St. Croix Hospice for their dedicated service and support during her final days.