Sara A. Christianson

Sara A. Christianson, 63, of Viroqua died Saturday, July 16, 2011. Sara A. Christianson, 63, of Viroqua passed away on July 16, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer; at her home, surrounded by her family and friends. Sara was born on January 6, 1948 in Sewickley, Pennsylvania to Anthony and Teresa (Flora) Cortese. Sara graduated in 1965 from Neville High School, near Pittsburgh, where she excelled academically and enjoyed cheerleading. In 1967, she graduated from Robert Morris Junior College in Pittsburgh. She began her career at US Steel in Pittsburgh, PA and later moved to Chicago, IL where she worked for the American Medical Association. She moved to the La Crosse area in the 1980s where she started her own business, "Mississippi Brittle", which won several awards for confectionary products. It was in La Crosse where she met and married her husband of 14 years, Marcus Christianson. They were married June 28, 1997 at Bethel Lutheran Church of rural Viroqua. Sara was an avid reader and writer. She published her first book in 2011. She had a passion for exercise; primarily, cycling, long walks and workouts at the Wellness Center in Viroqua. She also enjoyed volunteer work, snowshoeing and traveling. Sara is survived by her husband, Marcus Christianson; mother, Teresa Cortese; brother, Anthony (Chris) Cortese, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; sister, Mary (David) Demoret of Keller, Texas; mother-in-law, Allene Christianson; brother-in-law, Ryan (Nora) Christianson of Viroqua; sister-in-law, Marsha (Michael) Ryan of La Crescent, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Patricia Christianson of Apple Valley, Minnesota; 9 nieces, 4 nephews; and aunts and uncles. She was preceded in death by her father, Anthony Cortese; father-in-law, Alvin Christianson; brother-in-law, Rodney Christianson; niece and husband, Wendy and Dan Thicke. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Viroqua with burial to follow in Bethel Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday, 4-6 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker (hwy 56) in Viroqua. Friends may also call at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 10:30. In Lieu of flowers and plants, memorial contributions may be made to St. Marys Catholic Church, American Cancer Society, Bethel Church, and McIntosh Memorial Library or to a memorial of your choice. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.