Jacob "Jake" Carl Christopherson

Jacob "Jake" Carl Christopherson

May 11, 1922 — October 18, 2023

Middleton

Jacob (“Jake”) Carl Christopherson, 101, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Oct. 18, 2023. The son of Knute and Lillian (Olson) Christopherson, Jake was born in Ironton, WI, on May 11, 1922. On Sept. 15, 1946, Jake married Amy G. Miller, who became the love of his life. They lived in Reedsburg, WI, where together they reared five children, of whom he was immensely proud. Jake was fiercely patriotic, having served in the Pacific Theater in WWII; and was a continuing member of the VFW Honor Guard from the time he completed his military service in Jan 1946. At age 98, it was still his joy to honor fellow servicemen at their funerals and memorial services. October 20, 2012, Jake was privileged to go to Washington, D.C., on an Honor Flight to see first-hand our national war memorials.

As a youth, Jake helped support his parents and three siblings by selling vegetables and delivering newspapers. He worked at the Reedsburg Woolen Mill before and after WWII; and then for the USPS until retiring in 1977. He was a licensed insurance agent (the original “Jake from State Farm”) and owned his own insurance agency until moving to Hot Springs Village, AR, in 1983.

In WI and AR, Jake was involved in many organizations, including the VFW, the United Methodist Church, Optimist Club and Toastmasters Int'l. In 1983, Jake and Amy began making annual short-term visits to Hot Springs Village, AR. That same year, they established a Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program at Jessieville School, which continued until 2008. During those 26 years, they impacted the lives of 1,292 students, and were recognized by the school as Volunteers of the Year in 2000. Three of his favorite volunteer activities were presenting the VFW Flag Program to fourth grade students, fingerprinting kindergarten students, and organizing the Optimist Club’s annual oratorical contest. Jake’s “accomplishments” are evidenced by the multiple plaques and certificates he was awarded and by his family and friends who continue to pay it forward by serving others.

Jake and Amy permanently moved to Hot Springs Village in 1987; and it quickly became home to both of them. Jake golfed, happily juggled his many club and volunteer activities, joined a dance club (!), and traveled extensively (including visits to England and Spain). He helped establish a Toastmasters Int'l club in Hot Springs. At age 95, he was still delivering Meals on Wheels to the “elderly”!

Jake is survived by his five children, Richard (Debra), Linda, Donna Crawford, Todd (Cindy), and Sandy; 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, his sister, Marian Huff Christopherson, his sister-in-law Mary Marsich; and many cousins and nieces and nephews.

Jake was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Amy; his parents and brothers Forrie and Jim; his grandson Andrew R. Holzman and his son-in-law Patrick D. Crawford.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Senior Living, Middleton, where Jake lived since returning to Wisconsin in December 2021, and Agrace Hospice Care, which cared for Jake since January 2023.

Memorial services celebrating Jake’s life will be held in the chapel at Asbury Church, 6101 University Ave, Madison, WI on Thursday November 2. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m. (Officiant: Pastor Paul Yoder) and then a luncheon. 

A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 4th, 2024, 10:00am,  at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church in Hot Springs Village, AR. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Heritage Senior Living, 6234 Maywood Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562, or Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church, 700 Balearic Road, Hot Springs Village, AR, 71909, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Cress Funeral Home (Madison, WI) and CedarVale Funeral Home (Hot Springs Village, AR).