Steven Mark Christensen

Steve Christensen, 68, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at his home in Albert Lea, MN. A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Monday, October 26, 2026 at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN. A visitation will take place an hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Pastor Mary Fiel will be officiating.

Steve was born on November 17, 1957 to Gerald and Audrey Christensen. Steve enlisted in the US Army in 1982. He was stationed in Germany, and was able to witness the fall of the Berlin wall. While in Germany, he played baseball, and even brought home a cat. He would often tell short stories of his experiences of the events he witnessed. He was extremely proud of his time in the Army.

While living in Oklahoma, he met Wanda Kay Wilson while they were both working at Goodwill. Since they both already had children of their own, their first date turned out to be a “Family Date” with the kids. After six months of dating, they were married on February 25, 1995. Every year after they were married, Steve would give Wanda a holiday bear on Christmas.

Steve loved to ride his motorcycle, go fishing, and bowl. He would regularly average 300 games, and was a part of the Albert Lea Bowling Hall of Fame. He was a big teddy bear of a man, and loved to rile up his friends with his humor. He would always put others before himself, and would always tell everyone “I’m fine”. Steven was also the king of procrastination, saying that he would get to the task at hand on his own time, sometimes with Wanda taking over. He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren. He was always at their games, dances and events.

Steve is survived by his wife Wanda; his eight children; twenty-two grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild expected. His mother Audrey Christensen; brothers Perry (Ann) Christensen, and Paul Christensen; sister Diane (Jim) Fugate; along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Steve is preceded in death by his father Gerald Christensen and his grandson Paul Hambright.

Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home has been honored to serve the Christensen family.