Ralph Christopherson, Janesville  (1918 - 2008)

November 21, 1918 - April 27, 2008
Ralph Christopherson, 89, of Janesville, died Sunday, April 27, 2008, at Cedar Crest. He was born on Nov. 21, 1918, in Racine, WI, the son of Fredrick and Martha (Johnson) Christopherson. Ralph graduated from William Horlick High School in Racine, and has been a Janesville resident since 1956. He married Burnadette Hansen on May 3, 1941, in Racine. Ralph served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 on the USS Patuxent, a tanker refueling the Seventh Fleet in the South Pacific. He founded Wisconsin Turf Equipment Corp. in Janesville in 1956; before that he had owned and operated Christy's Saw and Lawnmower Service with his brothers in Racine, WI. Ralph sold Wisconsin Turf Equipment Corp. to his son, Lyle, in February of 2001. He was a member of the Janesville Western Star #55, Madison Zor Shrine, and Madison Scottish Rite.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Burnadette; four children: Dennis (Karen) Christopherson of Arbor Vitae, WI, Lyle (Darlene) Christopherson of Janesville, Gary Christopherson of Boulder Junction, WI, and Charlotte (Larry) Drake of Milton; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Leslie Christopherson of Brooksville, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Raymond.
Committal Prayers and Interment will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008, at the CHAPEL OF WESTLAWN MEMORIAL PARK in Racine. Friends may call on Wednesday, April 30, from 5 until 7 p.m., with a Masonic Service at 6:30 p.m., at the SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. For online obituary and registry: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com