Jeffrey Scott Christensen

Jeffrey Scott Christensen Jeffrey Scott Christensen, fly-fisher, elk-hunter, brisket chef, Dave Draper doppelganger and Hawaiian-shirt model died on Friday, March 17, 2023.

Jeff, known as "Moose", was a larger-than-life character whose colorful personality made a lasting impact on those around him. He was a mountain of a man. Bronzed skin. Blonde hair. His buff physique stood out wherever he ventured. Whether you loved, disliked, feared, admired or coveted Moose, you certainly remembered him.

His antics gained mythic status. One rainy evening in Dublin, Moose's brother enjoyed a pint of Guinness with work colleagues in Ireland's Temple Bar District. His attention turned to an Irish lad at the pub spinning yarn about a Lacrosse Wisconsin college house. This story included parties, alcohol, shot-guns, the use of birthday cake as spackle, frozen waterbeds, police, a diminutive African-American boy named "Yoda" and the hulking blonde ringleader. Considered too grand to be true - nobody believed this fantastical tale even when his brother interjected to confirm its authenticity. The Atlantic Ocean was not large enough to contain the legend of Moose.

Moose's early antics were as varied they were entertaining. He could be found adorned with a hotel lampshade telling jokes late into the evening during a wrestling tournament, wrecking the car's transmission yet feigning ignorance of why the vehicle wouldn't work, using the three-hour family holiday road trip to see how many times he could get his sister to dry-heave, convincing his siblings a pellet gun dual would be fun experience. He was a reality TV star before they were invented.

Moose was born on April 22, 1965, in Monroe Wisconsin to Shirley Christensen. He graduated from Freeport High School in 1983. Always living on the edge, his Senior year started with a Jeep wreck filled with the State-ranked football team weeks before the season commenced. His athletic reputation for Football and Wrestling was notable in the small town. Unfortunately, Moose broke his leg his Senior year which hampered his athletic future. Despite this being pre-internet, he received dozens of calls from people who he never met but wanted to express their support after the injury. Spurred on he recovered and played one season of college ball before his leg wouldn't let him go any further. He was on the Northern Illinois University team who won the 1983 California Bowl.

As his leg halted his athletic career, Moose sought adventure elsewhere. He hopped in his Jeep and drove 3,500 miles to Alaska with only $100 in his pocket. His love for Alaska never subsided and his final wishes were to have his ashes scattered there.

As he graduated from Western Illinois University in 1989, Moose matured and became just as well-known as Jeff. He moved to Houston, Texas where he forged a career in industrial sales working for WW Grainger, 3M, Ryall Electric and most recently SunSource.

Jeff's devil-may-care lifestyle limited serious relationships, but he was ultimately tamed by the feisty Texan, Dena Bell. They were married in 1993 and had their first child, Austin, in 1995. He received his MBA from University in Houston in 1996. Yet, the outdoors beckoned, and Jeff convinced Dena to move to Colorado where their brood increased with Taylor's birth in 1997.

Jeff was back in his beloved mountains fly-fishing, hunting, skeet shooting and hiking. His happy place was sitting on the porch, surveying mountains while some large piece of meat cooked on his smoker. One Thanksgiving he attempted to smoke a Turkey, but taking too long, he had to finish the process in the oven. He then suggested that he just invented the "twice-baked" Turkey which would become the hot new culinary trend. If it does, you now know who to credit!

The final piece to the family, Skylar, joined in 2001. Moose's love for the outdoors was only exceeded by his unconditional love for his children. The family had an annual skiing holiday in Georgetown, hitting the slopes during the day and the hot tub at night. The children fondly remember Moose's large frame hidden by all the ski equipment he transported around the mountain.

Austin followed his father's love of the outdoors kayaking and rafting the mountain rivers.

Taylor inherited Moose's athletic skills and had her father at every Lacrosse match whether she was playing or coaching.

Skylar, or "Pooky" as he nicknamed her, was encouraged to explore her creative side becoming an aspiring artist.

Austin is now married to Mari and living in Oregon, and Moose eagerly anticipated the marriage of Taylor to Ethan Ward this June. He first met Taylor's fianc?e on a camping trip where he generously donated his camper for their slumber. The next day, they awoke to find him sleeping in the dirt using a rock as a pillow - Moose was never one for a life of soft convenience.

Jeff lived in the mountains always anticipating a visit by friends and family. He had his trusty hound, Booger, who was by his side until the end. He was an organ donor and his death means others are able to live.

In lieu of flowers, Jeff would have wanted donations to a charity he supported, Healing Waters. https://projecthealingwaters.org/

No funeral will be held, cremation rites have been accorded. There will be a celebration of life ceremony held for Jeff in his hometown, Freeport, IL the date will be announced shortly.

Moose left us too early and the world will be a less interesting place for this loss.