Eileen M. (Strei) Christopherson

Eileen Mary (Strei) Christopherson age 99, died peacefully Sunday 9/28/25 at Our Lady of Peace Residential Hospice.

Eileen was born on October 24, 1925 near Rosen, MN to parents Joseph and Cecilia (Karels) Strei. The 4th of 12 children, she grew up on the family farm and attended St Joseph Catholic Church and school. At age 19, Eileen bravely moved to St Paul where she found employment at Drover Bank in So St Paul and later at 3M in the magnetic recording dept. In 1959, at a Patrick's Day dance, she met the love of her life, Leo (Chris) Christopherson. They were soon married 7 months later. The couple settled on the West side of St Paul, close to Eileen's sister Rosemary and family.  Eileen & Chris had two beautiful daughters, Patrice & Pamela. With the growing family, the couple soon bought a house in Shoreview, MN. Tragically, just a few years later, Chris died suddenly of a heart attack. Eileen chose to stay at the house, raise her girls there and continued living at the family home until age 91.  The large yard became her sanctuary, her strong faith her guidepost. Eileen held several jobs "to make ends meet",  eventually landing at the St Paul Red Cross until her retirement in 1985. Eileen loved to garden, cook, bike ride, travel & drive her 1975 Pontiac Catalina! She was a member of the Secular Order of St Francis, St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, an ardent volunteer with many organizations.

Eileen is preceded in death by her parents: Joseph & Cecelia Strei, husband Leo, daughter Patrice Russell, brothers Tom, Father Jed, Ken, Don, Joe, and sisters; Cleora, Rosie Kelzer, Eunice Schmeig, Sr Evelyn, Phyllis Mueller. 

She is survived by daughter Pamela (John) Bertrand, son in law Randy Russell, grandchildren Brittany (Cyrus) Alipour of St Petersburg Fl, Andre & Aedan Bertrand, brother Gerry Strei of Largo, Fl. Many nieces & nephews & loving granddog, Chico. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Oct 23 at 11am Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Oakdale, MN. Visitation 1 hour prior at the church. Luncheon to follow. Internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Peace hospice or The Little Sisters of the Poor. 

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