Peter “Pete” Christianson, Major US Army Retired, passed away peacefully at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah, WI, on February 16, 2025, at the age of 81 years. Pete was born on May 22, 1943, in Neenah, WI, the son of Palmer and Kathryn Christianson. He attended the one-room Royer School and graduated from Winneconne High School. While attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Peter met and subsequently married Karen (Cademartori) Christianson on January 20, 1965. After the passing of Karen, Pete met Susan Mokler of Ripon, WI, in February 2018. The two were engaged to be married at the time of Pete’s passing. 

Pete took advantage of an Army Nurse development program while at the University of Wisconsin and upon graduation was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. After receiving his initial training in Denver, CO, he was deployed to Japan where he served as a psychiatric nurse for three years. Upon completing that tour of duty, he returned to the United States and completed the Nursing Advanced Course in San Antonio, TX. He then went on to duty assignments at Fort Benning, GA; Washington, DC; Landstuhl, Germany; and Fort Sheridan, IL. Peter retired from the Army as a Major after 20 years of service. Pete finished his professional career working as a psychiatric nurse from 1983 to 1997 with Winnebago County Mental Health Clinic. 

Pete was a very active member of many communities. Pete served as a Scout master for Boy Scout troop in Germany. Along with Karen, he hosted a foreign exchange student and organized numerous lobster feed fund raisers at Winneconne High School. Pete joined the Larsen-Winchester Lions Club in 2002, where he assisted with ramp building and pancake breakfasts. Peter ran the Larsen-Winchester Lion’s Medical Locker. Many a person in need spoke to Pete, seeking information on the Lion’s locker. Pete received honors as a Lion of the Year in 2022, Melvin Jones Fellow, the Birch-Sturm Award and the Knight of Sight Award. Because of his love of history and genealogy, Pete served in multiple capacities with the Winchester Area Historical Society and also served as the Vice-President of the Totenlag (Norwegian Genealogical Group).  

Pete’s hobbies included skiing, travel, camping, genealogy, woodworking, and researching local history. Pete wrote hundreds of articles for the Winneconne News covering nature, local history, and Wisconsin lore. 

Pete was predeceased by Karen Cademartori Christianson, his loving wife of 51 years.  

He is lovingly remembered by his sons, Peter (Mary), Tim (Lori), and Joe (Jen); his fiancée, Sue Mokler; his brother, Barry (Janine) Christianson; his sister, Coral (Dick) Anderson; his sister-in-law, Kathryn (Steven) Schweighardt, his brothers-in-law, Kevin (Lorin) Cademartori and Melvin Mathison; and grandchildren, Nathaniel, Robert, Brianna, and Alyssa.

Pete now takes his place in history along with his sisters, Ruth Christianson, Laura Friedrich, and Adele Mathison; his sister-in-law, Susan Christianson; his niece, Laurie Puetz; his brother-in-law, Steve Friedrich; his parents, Palmer and Kathryn Christianson; and his parents-in-law, Joseph and Anne Cademartori. 

A visitation will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 8396 Steeple Hill Drive, Larsen WI, and the funeral service will occur at noon.  Friends and family are invited to share a meal at Winchester Elementary School, 5270 Ann Street, Larsen, WI upon completion of the service. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the Winchester Area Historical Society with a donation to support its building and the Karen Christianson Memorial Library.  Checks can be sent to WAHS, PO Box 84, Larsen, WI, 54947.  

Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family.  If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.