Albert Christian, Jr.

WAUTOMA, Wis. —Albert E. Christian Jr., age 82, passed away Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, at his home with his family by his side.

He was born Sept. 11, 1937, in Stambaugh, the son of Albert E. and Muriel O. (Johns) Christian, Sr. Albert attended grade school and high school in Iron River. Shortly after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for four years from 1956 until 1960 receiving an honorable discharge. After military service, he returned to Iron River where he met the love of his life, Judy Ruona, and was married on April 21, 1962, at the First Presbyterian Church in Iron River.

As there were no jobs in the Upper Peninsula, Albert and Judy traveled to Milwaukee, where they lived and worked for over eight years. Albert held a job at Milsco Manufacturing and was later transferred to their other plant in Redgranite. They moved from Milwaukee to Redgranite and purchased their home on Hwy. 73 in Wautoma. Later, he changed jobs and worked at Berlin Foundry for 26 years until his retirement. Albert did have a part-time job at Capsell in Wautoma doing maintenance work.

During his hardworking years, he raised beef and then had several Belgian mares raising many colts, which were the love of his life. Later, he changed from Belgians to Haflingers, which also were a joy. He attended many horse sales and horse shows around the area. He belonged to the VFW at large and was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Wautoma.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judy Christian; two daughters, Brenda (Steve) Walker of Wautoma, and Audra (Bob) Schuessler of Kaukauna, Wis.; fi ve grandchildren, Derek Ratajczak of Neenah, Wis., Ali (Enrique) Rodriguez of Appleton, Wis., Elizabeth Schuessler of Grand Junction, Colo., Erin Schuessler of Brooklyn, N.Y. and John Schuessler of Kaukauna; two stepgrandchildren, Tyler (Amanda) Walker of Wautoma, and Stephanie (Cole) Degener of Green Bay, Wis.; one step-great-grandson, Jaxon Walker; one sister, Barbara (Peter) Buchanan of Brighton, Colo. He is further survived by other relatives and friends.

Visitation was be held on Aug. 13 at Hope Lutheran Church in Wautoma. Funeral services will followed with Rev. P. Michael Thomas officiating. Burial with full military honors was at Hope Lutheran Cemetery.

The funeral services were live streamed on Hope Lutheran Wautoma’s Facebook page.

Memorials to the Parkinson’s Association and Hope Lutheran

Church are deeply appreciated. The Leikness Funeral Home of Wautoma is assisting the family with arrangements, www.leiknessfuneralhome.com