Obituary of Paul Bernard Christopherson

Paul Bernard Christopherson, passed away on November 27, 2021 at Episcopal Homes in St. Paul at the age of 101.   Paul was born on January 2, 1920 in Hamden Township, Becker County.  He attended country school through the 8th grade, after which he worked full-time on the family farm.  Paul enjoyed working with horses.  At the age of 12, he finally talked his father into letting him drive a 5-horse team pulling a two-bottom plough.  

After the deaths of his brother Carl in 1942, and his father Christ in 1951, Paul took over management of the farm.  His mother Mina (née Shefveland) also lived on the farm until her death in 1981.  Paul had two sisters:  Lauretta (Skarie) who died in 1992, and Margaret (Thomas, Skarie) who died in 2010.  Although he didn't have children of his own, Paul was a favorite of his ten nieces and nephews.  They just called him Uncle. 

Paul was an active member of the community, helping neighbors with threshing, silo filling, combining, and other field work at a time when not everyone had all the necessary equipment.  He served on the Hamden town board as clerk for many years. Neighbors would often consult with Paul about any variety of problems they were having.

Paul retired from farming at about the age of 70 and began taking bus tours with friends.  It was on one of these tours that Paul met Doris Braaten (née Sheridan), and Paul's life as a Norwegian bachelor farmer ended.  They married in 1991 and had many happy years together living in Nielsville, MN and spending winters in Texas.  In retirement Paul had time to renew his musical interests and started playing accordion.  After Doris died in 2009, Paul moved to the Twin Cities to be closer to family. 

Paul was much loved and will be greatly missed.