Third Generation

3. Christian J. "Chris" STEFFERUD was born on 9 December 1910 in Newry, Christiana Township, Vernon County, WI.^1,3 He died on 30 December 2003 at the age of 93 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³

Obituary Notes: "Christian J. Stefferud, 93, of Tomah died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at Tomah Memorial Hospital. He was born Dec. 9, 1910, to Martin and Josephine (Oium) Stefferud in Vernon County, Newry, Wis. He grew up on the family farm in Newry. He graduated from Rongstad Ridge Rural School and later from Wisconsin Business University in La Crosse. In December 1934, he was united in marriage to Ethel Marie Stafslien. Chris and Ethel moved to the Tomah area in 1948. Ethel preceded him in death in July 1969.

Chris was an active member at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where he also taught Sunday School, served in various offices and sang in the choir. In 1972, he was united in marriage to Ruth Hansen Clementson of Milwaukee. Chris spent 39 working years with the federal government, where he worked in soil conservation, for the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Veterans Administration, the Department of the Army and in personnel until his retirement in 1973.

Chris was very active with the Monroe County Board and with the Wisconsin County Board, serving in many different positions on each board. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, going to auctions and Bible study. He enjoyed traveling and visiting many countries around the world.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth of Tomah; a daughter, June (Jim) Potter of Warrens, Wis.; sons, Christian "Dan" (Marie) Stefferud of Redondo Beach, Calif., and Byron Stefferud of Torrance, Calif.; four step-children, Dorothy Clementson (Dr. John Larson) of New York City, Judith Clementson (Dr. Donald Helmuth) of Lincoln, Neb., Duane Clement-son (Sheri Wilcox) of Houston, Texas, and Barbara (Randy) Klein of Rochester, Minn.; sisters, Irene Rosenow of Cashton, Wis., and Letha Theige of Westby, Wis.; a sister-in-law, Arlean Stefferud of the home farm in Newry; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Josephine; his first wife, Ethel; a son, Curtis; a grandson, Shawn; and brothers, Manuel, Grant and Bernard.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, at 11 a.m., at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tomah. Pastor William Rice will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery Memorial Garden in Tomah. Family and friends are invited to call Friday, Jan. 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah. Family and friends are also invited to call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church. Torkelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements."

Christian J. "Chris" STEFFERUD and Ethel Marie STAFSLIEN were married in December 1934.¹ Ethel Marie STAFSLIEN, daughter of Melvin STAFSLIEN and Alma LARSON, was born on 17 January 1910.¹ She died in July 1969 at the age of 59.¹

Christian J. "Chris" STEFFERUD and Ethel Marie STAFSLIEN had the following children:

Christian J. "Chris" STEFFERUD and Ruth J. HANSEN were married in June 1972.¹ Ruth J. HANSEN, daughter of Clarence Jan HANSEN and Theresa STUDNESS, was born on 15 January 1922 in Faribault County, MN.^1,4 She graduated in 1942 in Northfield, Rice County, MN.¹ from St. Olaf College. She died on 15 February 2012 at the age of 90 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, NE.⁴

Obituary Notes: "Ruth J. Stefferud, 90, of Lincoln, Neb., died Feb. 15, 2012.
Ruth J. Stefferud was born Jan. 15, 1922, in Faribault County, near Delavan, Minn., to Clarence Jan Hansen and Theresa Studness Hansen, the second of seven children — five boys and two girls. Her father was a farmer on the farm that his grandfather homesteaded. Her mother came from the Garmo family, who lived a short distance from Lom in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. Theresa was the daughter of Henry Henning Studness and Ronnaug Garmo Studness. Theresa graduated from Mankato State Teachers College and taught school. Clarence Jan Hansen farmed in Fairbault County near Delavan.
Ruth graduated from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., in 1942 and taught school in Remer, Minn., Iola and West Milwaukee.
In 1944 Ruth Hansen and Harry Clementson of Iola were married. He was the only son of Carl and Anna Frogner Clementson who were farming people in the Iola area. Shortly after that Ruth and Harry moved to Milwaukee, where they lived for the next 24 years. Ruth taught school in West Milwaukee and worked for the Bethke Randall Food Broker Co., and Harry drove taxi cab in Milwaukee. In January of 1968 Harry died. Their four children Dorothy, Judith, Duane, and Barbara were born in Milwaukee.
In 1972 Ruth Clementson and Christian Stefferud of Tomah were married. She moved to Tomah, where she lived for the next 31 years. In December 2003 Christian died, and Ruth moved to Lincoln a few months later, where she has lived at the Legacy Terrace Retirement Home ever since.
Ruth is survived by her four children, Dr. Dorothy Clementson (Dr. John Larsen), Dr. Judith Clementson (Dr. Donald Helmuth), Duane Clementson (Sheri Wilcox), and his son and spouse, William and Elizabeth Clementson, and Barbara Clementson Klein (Randy Klein) and her son, Scott Kansas.
She also is survived by her stepchildren and their families, Curtis Stefferud (deceased), Christian D. Stefferud (Marie), June Potter (James) and Byron Stefferud.
Ruth also is survived by two brothers and a sister and their families, Harland Hansen (Marion), Jerry Hansen (Helen) and Mary Ann Hatteberg (Lester). Three brothers are deceased, Franklin Hansen (Janet), John Hansen (Valoris), and Henry Hansen (Marilyn).
Funeral services for Ruth Stefferud were held Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at 11 a.m. at United Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dr. Neal Anthony officiating.
Family and friends called for visitation Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home, 4040 A Street, Lincoln, and one hour before services at the church. Burial will take place at Graceland Cemetery in Milwaukee.
Memorials may be sent to Legacy Terrace, 5700 Fremont St. or United Lutheran Church 5945 Fremont St."