May 26, 2022 at 8:13 p.m.
Richard A. Christensen
Richard A. Christensen
Richard was an Air Force veteran, serving from 1959 to 1961 at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Mont., and Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. Richard loved the Great Falls area so much that he moved his wife and two children there in 1965. The family then moved to Casper, Wyo., in 1970.
Returning to Fond du Lac in 1971, the family opened Tasty Pizza on North Main Street by Lakeside Park for carry-out pizza and frozen pizzas sold to local grocery stores and taverns. The business grew and was soon moved to Military Road where it became The Roadhouse, home of Tasty Pizza serving everything from pizza to lasagna. The restaurant had a roaring 20s atmosphere. Richard was penned as the Big Cheese, with our mother, Margaret (Peterson), as Margie Mozzarella, his daughter, Kim Cacciatore and his son, Dangerous Dick. Many of his employees fondly remember their days working at The Roadhouse and many still refer to the Roadhouse as having had the best pizza in town.
Richard enjoyed managing a variety of restaurants after The Roadhouse and also the Fox Lake Golf Course. Richard made the Northwoods his home in 1988. He brought the “best pizza in town” to Minocqua, opening Tasty Take and Bake Pizza in 2002.
Richard is a past member of the Optimist Club, Great Falls, and BPOE Elks Lodge, Fond du Lac.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Lester H. and Lillian E. (Mutchler) Christenson. He is survived by his brother, Jerry (Judy) Christenson (Phoenix, Ariz.); his daughter, Kim Domini (Woodruff); his son, Richard J. Christenson (Deerbrook); his grandchildren, Matthew Domini, Michael (Sarah) Domini, Amanda (Andrew) Backus, Trinity Christenson, Brody Christenson and Olivia Louise Christenson; great-grandchildren, Brooks Domini, Blake Domini, Olivia Mae Domini and Lincoln Backus; and many cousins and nephews.
Richard’s family would like to thank Tomahawk Health Services, in Tomahawk, in conjunction with Compassus Hospice for their care and compassion of Richard and his family during his last days.
A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at Bolger Funeral Home, Woodruff, on Saturday, June 11, with visitation at 11 a.m. and a service at 11:30 a.m. with military honors to follow. Also fitting, June 11 is during Walleye Weekend in Fond du Lac, one of Richard’s favorite events to attend. To our Fondy friends in attendance, please raise a glass or bottle to honor the Big Cheese.
Memorials can be sent to P.O. Box 1786, Woodruff, WI., 54568.
Bolger Cremation & Funeral Services is assisting the family, www.bolgerfuneral.com to share condolences.
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