A live stream the day of the service will be available by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/stevensonandsons/
Lester L. Christopherson (86) was born on August 22,1934 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. After a brief hospitalization in Miles City and then Billings due to CoViD-19. Lester was called to heaven by our dear Lord on January 5, 2021.
Lester (Les) was the son of Tilford and Lucille (Kielmeyer) Christopherson. Les and his brothers Richard (“Dick”) and Rodell lived and worked on the family’s Minnesota dairy farm developing good work ethics by helping run the farm. Les and his brother Dick moved to Miles City in the late 50’s followed by the rest of the family sometime later.
Les married KayDel Wiedeman on December 22, 1958 in Miles City, and they made a formidable team. They were a creative and innovative pair; there wasn’t anything that KayDel designed that Les couldn’t make or build. KayDel would draw plans for things like a toy chest for a grandchild, a wrought iron snowman for the front of the house, or a trellis for their son’s wedding, and Les would take the plans to his workshop and emerge later with pieces of art that became gifts/treasures for family and friends.
Les enjoyed golfing, visiting with friends during morning and afternoon coffee, spending time with friends at the Town and Country Club, feeding peanuts to the squirrels, taking care of his yard, woodworking, and collecting and restoring Farmall tractors. He had an infectious laugh and was quick with a warm smile and a joke, especially ones that were a little “naughty.” He valued a good day’s work, and he loved making people smile. He was a genuine, kind, and gentle man who loved his family and his “puppies”. Les was a man respected by the people who knew him. Les was true to his word, and his handshake was binding. Les enjoyed playing solitaire on his computer, and watching Golf, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Hee Haw, Marty Stewart, and Fox News.
Les owned his own over-the-road truck and also worked for Garett Freight Lines. He worked in road construction for many years, including being a foreman for Richardson Construction and then Baltrusch Construction. Around the year 1970, Les and his partners, Harold and Bill Gierke, purchased the asphalt portion of Doeden Construction from Jerry Doeden and family. The new company, Portable Pavers, paved alleys, parking lots, streets, and highways all over Eastern Montana. In 1994, Portable Pavers was sold to long-time friend, John Prince of Forsyth. Les and Harold formed Urban Ag and worked on restoring old cars and tractors at the shop on Yellowstone Hill.
Les is survived by his heartbroken family including his sons Brent L. Christopherson (Kim) of Missoula and Kalispell, Montana, and Blane D. Christopherson (Janet) of Casper, Wyoming. Grandchildren Kaytie Lee (Ryan) Magrum of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Leslee Eileen Christopherson of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Mathew Gordon Christopherson of Laramie, Wyoming. Great-granddaughter, Raylen Kay Magrum. Les was also blessed with a multitude of brother and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Les was preceded in death by his parents (Tilford and Lucille), wife KayDel, brothers Dick and Rodell, sister-in-law Pati Christopherson, and great grandson, Mason Ryan Magrum.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Miles City Town and Country Club for improvements in honor of the memory of Les or to the charity of your choice.
Public visitation will be held, Sunday, January 10 from 1-4 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Because of the CoViD-19 pandemic, a virtual funeral service will be held on Monday, January 11 at 11:00 am. Everyone is welcome to attend the service virtually. Access to the virtual service can be found at https://stevensonfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/lester-christopherson-age-86-of-miles-city/. Les will be buried at the Custer County Cemetery with full military honors. Only immediate family will be allowed to attend the service at the cemetery to help maintain recognized precautions and safety for one another. A reception at the Town and Country Club will be planned at a future date.
Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday January 10, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Private Services
11:00 a.m.
Monday January 11, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Monday January 11, 2021
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday January 10, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Private Services
11:00 a.m.
Monday January 11, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Monday January 11, 2021
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Denise and Jay Harvey and Ruben Oberlander says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. My dad, Ruben Oberlander, has missed his coffee group so very much over this last 10 months and will miss Les when he is finally able to return to the group. May cherished memories help ease your loss.
Thank you for sharing this fine man with our community.
Cheryl Rainey Yasuda says
Brent and Blaine my condolences go out to you and your family at the passing of your father. Your mother KayDel will be so happy to be reunited with your Dad. May your sweet memories you cherish bring you comfort.
Carolyn Kimball says
This sweet soul will be very missed!
Rick Newby says
Very sad news. Rest in peace Les
Cindy and Dale Berg says
Brent, Blaine and family,
So sorry to see this. He was such a nice man. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Cherish your memories. God bless.
Terri Schmitz Fandrich says
Brent and Blaine, I am so sorry to hear about this. Les was such a sweet man, always with a joke, a huge smile, and a kind word. He will be missed.
Clark l. Mcrae says
Brent, Blaine, Doug and Beth very sorry to hear of Lester’s passing, sincerely
Dannette Cremer says
So very sorry to hear about Les, may he Rest in Peace. I always enjoyed his visits to the office-he always had a joke or two. Dannette Cremer
Sandy McFarland Hays says
So very sorry to hear about Les. Loved visiting with him. I still have all of the little gadgets he would make and bring to me. He was very talented. Prayers to all the family during this very difficult time.
Diane Welbes says
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold you in your heart. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Marlus says
So sorry to hear about Les. He was always polite with a quick joke to make you smile. God’s peace be with Les’s family and friends.
Jim Schmitz says
RIP My friend
Deb Schmeling says
Dear Brent a family,
I was very saddened to hear about the loss of your dad. May God wrap His loving arms around each one of you with comfort, love, and peace. Cherish your memories.
shelley Killen says
Brent and Blaine and Families,
I am so sorry for the loss of Les I have such great memories of him and family as a child. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayer.
Gary & Muriel says
To the family of Les: His quick smile and ready jokes will be sorely missed. May your memories of him carry you through this tough time. He will forever be in your hearts. His tax shelters, round to its and rings will bring a smile. I
will miss my rhubarb pie friend. May God keep you in his arms until the hurt becomes fond memories. Love from both of us.
Richard and LInda Meidinger says
So sorry for your loss of Les. He will sure be missed by many. Kay Del will sure be happy to have him with her once
again. May he rest in peace. Your awesome memories will surely help you through this difficult time. God bless. Linda and RIchard Meidinger
Bruce Wilson says
Les, you are truly an unforgettable man. Such a great father, husband, and friend. RIP
Bruce and Patty Wilson
Donna Leitholt-Taylor says
Brent and Blaine, so sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed visiting with yuh our dad. He was a wonderful man.
Tracy Axelberg says
Brent and Blane, your Dad was a rare treasure and the best Uncle ever. I have many fond memories of this good-natured and big-hearted Norwegian, and the love and respect shared between Les and KayDel gave us all a front row view of what we all were (or should be) looking for in a relationship. That he is now reunited with the love of his life consoles me over his absence.
He was quick to tell anyone who would listen how proud he was of the two of you. I am sorry for the weight of this loss and hope you find peace with your own fond memories. How lucky we all were to know him.
Happy Trails, Uncle Les.
Kacie Killen-Kennedy says
I always enjoyed sitting down and chatting with Les at the Country Club, his daily appearance is already greatly missed by so many. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Pam Rogge says
My prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Les. He always had a friendly smile and hello for everyone – he will definitely be missed! Cherish the memories!
John C. & Diane “Dee” Brauner says
Brent and Kim, We send our deepest condolences to you and your family Brent. We understand and share in your grief. You have been a wonderful friend who seemingly has been brought up by a father with principles. From the description above we can see why he will be missed by family and friends. We never met you father Brent. We can only ponder for a bit the loss you have. Our prayers and thoughts are with you today and each day forward. With deepest regards. John and Dee🙏❤️🖖🌈🇺🇸🙏 Brauner (neighbors…always).
Rebecca Kane says
Les truly was one of the kindest people I had the privilege knowing. His wife KayDel was one of my closest friends, and through this friendship, I met Les. He had the greatest laugh, and was always there to help us in projects we were working on together in our graduate school years. My thoughts go to his family and friends. I know he will be greatly missed, but it has to be a comfort knowing Les and KayDel are together again!
Lissa Power says
We were so sorry to learn of Les’s passing. He was such a nice man, always ready with a smile and joke for nearly everyone he met. He was a patriotic person as one could tell from the flag flying at his house and the sense of duty which he instilled in his sons. Les was proud of his wife, kids, grandkids, and loved KayDel’s family like his own. His absence will be felt.
Our condolences,
Willis & Ardi Bartholomay
and Lissa Power
Mark Browning says
My sympathies are expressed to the Christopherson and Wiedeman families that were so intertwined and close at heart. Yes, Les was a super guy that we looked up to as a fine role model. He’ll be missed.
Lori Clark says
Les was one of my favorite people super kind and with a big heart. Not gonna lie I’m sure gonna miss his smile and giggle.
Dick and Linda says
How can we even begin to express the heart hurting time? Les was such a joyto be with,his love of his family and friends was the greatest example of a caring and loving person. Our memories are so precious and are treasured.
James & Donna Owens says
So sad to learn of Mr Christopherson’s passing but celebrating his home going. Our condolences to all the family.
Arlene Gieser says
To Mr. Christopherson’s family.
I am sorry for your loss. You gu yet s dont know me but I remember your father. Your father worked with my father with the two construction companies you’ve mentioned. He was such a wonderful man. He used to tease my brother and I so bad. We always tried to get him back but it never worked. I have fond memories of your father, your uncle dick and my father. Again I am sorry for your loss. God needed another construction worker in heaven to keep my father and dick your uncle in line. RIP Mr. Christopherson keep those two in line.
The Kizziah Family says
Our hearts are broken! 💔 many thoughts, prayers and hugs to Mr Christopherson’s family. Cherish the sweet memories. And even though the hole he left in your hearts is huge just think of how full his heart is in heaven. Love you so much! ❤️
Anita says
Brent, Blaine and Family, enjoyed your Dad when he could make our family get togethers. So many great memories of all the Christopherson families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Anita, Chad, Ed, Sven and Bjorn Otterness
Anne(Bricco) Wald says
Blane & Brent & family I am so very sorry. I only met your dad a couple of times but he was always nice as was your mom. They must have both been very loving people to raise such sons. I hope, in time, that all of your wonderful memories together will give you comfort. You will be in my thoughts & prayers in the days ahead
Hugs
Bricco(Anne)
Jeff Bricco says
My heart goes out to both Blane and Brent. Your father was such a good man and he always seemed to have a smile on his face for your friends. He will be missed and without question the world is a lesser place.
Darcy Huckins Corbridge says
Brent, Blane, and family, I am so dorry for the loss of your dad. He was a man of so many talents, and because of his great personality, he was successful in his life. Miles City has lost another pillar of the community.
Karen Weigand says
Sending our love to the family. I’m one of the “little” cousins, growing up in Fergus Falls and have fond memories of Lester. As a young person and later as an adult I enjoyed visiting with Lester in Miles City also. I especially remember his good looks and easy laugh. RIP Karen (Christopherson) Weigand
Michael Duncan says
So sorry for your loss he was a great man and a friend to so many.
Melinda & Brian Lynnes says
Brent, we are so sorry for the loss of your father. We will miss seeing him in the neighborhood.Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Brian and Melinda
Brad and Sandy says
Brent, Blane and Family
We are so sorry to hear about Les’ passing. He was such a good man, so funny.
I still have the two dollar bill ring he gave me the last time I saw him. Will keep it forever. We will be sure to see you at the reception whenever it is. Our prayers go out to all.