Leading a Legacy: Honoring our late CEO, Michael Christensen

Posted 11/27/2018

Eau Claire, WI - The Grace Lutheran Communities family is sad to announce the passing of its longtime CEO Michael Christensen.

“Mike joined the Grace family 20 years ago and instituted a culture of financial discipline that has allowed our mission to grow.  He was an innovator and took leadership to bring Grace Lutheran Communities and our partners more fully into providing a continuum of care. This has allowed us to touch many more lives in their time of need,” said Grace Lutheran Foundation Board President Mitch Piper.

Michael Christensen led Grace Lutheran Communities through many expansion projects, including the new long-term care and short-term rehabilitation communities known as River Pines and Prairie Pointe in Altoona.

He spent four decades in senior care around the state and served on several boards including LeadingAge and the UWEC Communication Advisory Board. He leaves behind a loving wife of nearly 40 years, Deborah, three children, and two grandchildren.

Many of his co-workers, upon learning of his diagnosis of esophageal cancer, put together a special video to raise his spirits and give back some of the laughter he helped instill as part of the Grace Lutheran Foundation culture. Mike was always a proponent of using laughter as the best medicine both in senior care and in everyday life.

A visitation is planned for Thursday, November 29 with funeral services on Friday, November 30 at the Capernaum Community Center on the campus of River Pines and Prairie Pointe in Altoona, Wisconsin.

Grace Lutheran Communities has been helping our friends and neighbors in communities all over the Chippewa Valley since 1960. The non-profit organization specializes in rehabilitation, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, child care, independent living, and adult day services.