June 8, 1955 - April 23, 2018

Wayne Christopherson was born June 8, 1955 to Waldo & Betty Christopherson in Western Washington. The youngest of 3, Wayne had a brother, Mark and a sister, Lynn. They lived in the Shoreline area until they moved to California in 1964 to be closer to family.  After a short time there, the Christophersons moved back to the Mountlake Terrace area, just north of Seattle.  Washington was home to Wayne for the remainder of his life.

Wayne graduated from Mountlake Terrace High School in 1973 after which he attended Eastern Washington State College.  He graduated college in 1977 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Music and Teaching.  Music was always his great love, whether it be teaching, singing or playing.  Wayne played trombone plus various other instruments (that was 2 months of Shawna’s and Cindy’s life that they will never get back).  It’s hard to say whether his violin attempts or the baby’s cries were worse. 

While not a violin prodigy, Wayne played the piano well and had the voice of an angel.  He had a gift for teaching and directing which led him to direct several church choirs including one called the Gospel Travelers in Toppenish, WA, that both he and Cindy sang in.  In addition to directing choirs, Wayne taught music for various Elementary, Junior High and High Schools, as well as 3rd & 4th grades for 28 years.  In his retirement years, Wayne learned how to quilt and became quite proficient at it.

As much as Wayne loved music, he loved his family and dog, Mac, far more.  Family was everything to him.  In August, 1977, Wayne married his true love, Cynthia Ann.  Their first daughter, Shawna Marie was born in December, 1979 and Stacey Renee came along in June, 1981.  In March of ’82, the Christopherson family received the blessing of a 16 year old boy named Robert Fink.  Rob’s family was moving out of state but he wanted to graduate from Mountlake Terrace High School so Wayne and Cindy invited him to stay with them.  He stayed until he joined the Army in 1983.  In 1995, another young man, Joshua Dale, joined the family.  At the time, Josh was 14 years old, weighing in at 140lbs, as the family always joked.  On paper, Josh was a foster child but Wayne & Cindy always have and always will consider him to be their son.  Four years later, a case worker called to ask if this generous family would take in a 7 year old girl named Erika.  Of course, Wayne and Cindy agreed and 3 years later, adopted this precious girl, completing their family.

In addition to his core family, Wayne was blessed to get to know his 10 grandchildren: Shawna & Rob have Max (9), Mason (9) and Titus (4); Josh & Ashley have Emily (12), Lukus (11) and Amber (4); and Erika has Kayne (8), Payten (6), twin girls Makenzie and Makenna (2).

Wayne leaves behind a family that will miss him every day and will always know and feel the legacy of his boundless love for them.

Memorial Service will be held Sunday, May 6, 2018 at:

Unity of Lynnwood Church, 16727 Alderwood Mall Pkwy, Lynnwood, WA 98037

Reception to follow at:

Lago de Plato Mobile Home Park 620 112th St SE, Everett, WA 98208