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April 23, 2025
Richard Peter Christenson
February 18, 1941 ~ April 20, 2025
Richard Peter Christenson passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Bandera, Texas. Born in Clay Center, Kansas, and raised in Wakefield, Richard was known for his dry wit, quiet strength, and the hands-on way he showed love. He could fix almost anything—and if he couldn’t, he’d find a workaround. His hands built skylines. His spirit built a legacy of humor, humility, and resilience.
A 1959 graduate of Wakefield High School, Richard was a proud Wakefield Bomber who played football, basketball, ran track, and participated in drama. His 1957 football team, which finished with a perfect 10–0 record and still holds school records, was inducted into the Wakefield High School Hall of Fame in 2024.
Richard was a professional ironworker who spent the majority of his career as a glazier with Glaziers Union Local 27, serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. His work took him across the country—from Houston, Waco, and Wichita to New York, Indianapolis, and Chicago—where he contributed to landmark projects including O’Hare International Airport, Navy Pier, the Chicago Sun-Times Building, and Water Tower Place.
In the early 1970s, while working in Chicago on the Sears Tower, Richard met Toni Lee Fritz, who would later become his wife. Toni’s father affectionately nicknamed him “Kansas Flash” for his spirited charm. The couple briefly returned to Kansas before moving to Harvard, Illinois, in 1979, where they built a home and raised their daughter.
From 1980 to 1995, Richard worked for Window Walls alongside longtime friend Larry Wegman, helping shape the skyline through commercial glass installation. Later, he moved to Texas, where he continued glazing with Thad Ziegler Glass in San Antonio.
In his later years, Richard partnered with his brother Raymond on a sawmill project in Fredericksburg, where the two crafted outdoor furniture together—yet another way Richard put his hands and heart into everything he built.
In 2014, Richard suffered a stroke that left him physically limited. As a southpaw, losing the use of his left side was especially difficult, but he adapted with quiet grit. Even through the challenges of his final decade, he never lost his childlike playfulness, his sharp wit, or his love for being present with those who mattered most.
Richard had a lifelong love of animals. He always had pets—and usually more than a few. He was a true rescuer, known for taking in strays, helping trap and fix feral colonies, and sharing his home with a rotating crew of beloved creatures. He had a special fondness for Chinese pugs, and his gentle spirit made him a magnet for animals in need. He was fueled by Dr Pepper, loyalty and grit.
He was preceded in death by his parents Oscar Cornelius and Edith Matilda Lawson Christenson; and his sisters Wilma Mae and Irma Louise.
He is survived by his brother Raymond Christenson and his wife Caryl; his son Courtney Christenson and daughter-in-law Shelly; and his daughter Kimberly Christenson. He was a grandfather to Cassandra Vinson, Cameron Christenson, Caitline Christenson, and Harper Lillian Brown; and a great-grandfather to four.
Richard was previously married to Rosemary Hess, and later to Toni Lee Fritz Christenson, who passed away Jan. 26, 2018. Richard and Toni will be laid to rest together in a shared urn in Leonardville, Kansas, near generations of the Lawson and Christenson families.
Graveside Service
Monday, May 26 • 10 a.m.
Leonardville Cemetery
13600 LK&W Rd, Leonardville, KS 66449
Please wear something colorful, comfortable, and fun. Richard’s motto was simple: “Relax. Enjoy life. Don’t take things so seriously.”
One Last Laugh with Richard – A Celebration of Life
Held in conjunction with the Lawson Family Reunion
Leonardville Community Center
118 N Erpelding Rd, Leonardville, KS 66449
Lunch served at noon.
Bring a story and your best jokes.
Services by:
Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home
303 S Broadway St, Riley, KS
785-485-2222
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s memory to:
Iron Gait Percherons Draft Horse Sanctuary
114 Hancock Mountain Trail, Waleska, GA 30183
https://igprescue.org
Richard always dreamed of owning a team of dapple gray Percheron draft horses. Though he didn’t get to fulfill that dream in this lifetime, we invite those who wish to honor his memory to help care for the magnificent animals he so deeply admired.
(Please mark your donation “In Memory of Richard Christenson.”)
A 1959 graduate of Wakefield High School, Richard was a proud Wakefield Bomber who played football, basketball, ran track, and participated in drama. His 1957 football team, which finished with a perfect 10–0 record and still holds school records, was inducted into the Wakefield High School Hall of Fame in 2024.
Richard was a professional ironworker who spent the majority of his career as a glazier with Glaziers Union Local 27, serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. His work took him across the country—from Houston, Waco, and Wichita to New York, Indianapolis, and Chicago—where he contributed to landmark projects including O’Hare International Airport, Navy Pier, the Chicago Sun-Times Building, and Water Tower Place.
In the early 1970s, while working in Chicago on the Sears Tower, Richard met Toni Lee Fritz, who would later become his wife. Toni’s father affectionately nicknamed him “Kansas Flash” for his spirited charm. The couple briefly returned to Kansas before moving to Harvard, Illinois, in 1979, where they built a home and raised their daughter.
From 1980 to 1995, Richard worked for Window Walls alongside longtime friend Larry Wegman, helping shape the skyline through commercial glass installation. Later, he moved to Texas, where he continued glazing with Thad Ziegler Glass in San Antonio.
In his later years, Richard partnered with his brother Raymond on a sawmill project in Fredericksburg, where the two crafted outdoor furniture together—yet another way Richard put his hands and heart into everything he built.
In 2014, Richard suffered a stroke that left him physically limited. As a southpaw, losing the use of his left side was especially difficult, but he adapted with quiet grit. Even through the challenges of his final decade, he never lost his childlike playfulness, his sharp wit, or his love for being present with those who mattered most.
Richard had a lifelong love of animals. He always had pets—and usually more than a few. He was a true rescuer, known for taking in strays, helping trap and fix feral colonies, and sharing his home with a rotating crew of beloved creatures. He had a special fondness for Chinese pugs, and his gentle spirit made him a magnet for animals in need. He was fueled by Dr Pepper, loyalty and grit.
He was preceded in death by his parents Oscar Cornelius and Edith Matilda Lawson Christenson; and his sisters Wilma Mae and Irma Louise.
He is survived by his brother Raymond Christenson and his wife Caryl; his son Courtney Christenson and daughter-in-law Shelly; and his daughter Kimberly Christenson. He was a grandfather to Cassandra Vinson, Cameron Christenson, Caitline Christenson, and Harper Lillian Brown; and a great-grandfather to four.
Richard was previously married to Rosemary Hess, and later to Toni Lee Fritz Christenson, who passed away Jan. 26, 2018. Richard and Toni will be laid to rest together in a shared urn in Leonardville, Kansas, near generations of the Lawson and Christenson families.
Graveside Service
Monday, May 26 • 10 a.m.
Leonardville Cemetery
13600 LK&W Rd, Leonardville, KS 66449
Please wear something colorful, comfortable, and fun. Richard’s motto was simple: “Relax. Enjoy life. Don’t take things so seriously.”
One Last Laugh with Richard – A Celebration of Life
Held in conjunction with the Lawson Family Reunion
Leonardville Community Center
118 N Erpelding Rd, Leonardville, KS 66449
Lunch served at noon.
Bring a story and your best jokes.
Services by:
Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home
303 S Broadway St, Riley, KS
785-485-2222
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s memory to:
Iron Gait Percherons Draft Horse Sanctuary
114 Hancock Mountain Trail, Waleska, GA 30183
https://igprescue.org
Richard always dreamed of owning a team of dapple gray Percheron draft horses. Though he didn’t get to fulfill that dream in this lifetime, we invite those who wish to honor his memory to help care for the magnificent animals he so deeply admired.
(Please mark your donation “In Memory of Richard Christenson.”)