Friday, April 14, 2023 | 11:00 AM

With great sorrow, the Christensen, Arms and Halverson families commemorate the passing of our kind, brave, generous, and immeasurably creative and artistic son, brother, father, and friend, Joseph Michael Christensen, also known as Joey. 

Joey was most proud of his children, Stella, Rose and Luke, and considered each of them his true friend. He basked in Rose’s accomplishments in sports and her passion, smile, and kindness, in Stella’s academic focus, humor and resilience, and he loved spending time with Luke, playing video games or hanging out in his studio; they spent many hours keeping each other company. He loved his large and sprawling family, and Molly, his friend and former spouse of many years, with whom he co-parented their children.  

A passionate consumer of culture, a follower of the zeitgeist, and a runner of long distances, Joey was a well-known, respected and prolific artist, a painter and sculptor most well-known for his singular ability and talent in the world of ceramics. In his own words, Joey captured his art form: The nature of clay is to bring to life any form that one can imagine, and skill will allow for. The fluid nature of turning a pot on the wheel brings the mind to the still point that seems to be so lacking in life. Time seems to flow away. 

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 9, 1973, Joey grew up in Eagan with his parents, Joe and Teresa, brother Matt, and two sisters, Melissa and Mary. The family enjoyed summers at the Whitefish Chain, a place that inspired Joey with a love of nature, fishing, and being in the woods. He spent formative years working in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. He attended St. John's University, where he grew his talent for ceramics under the instruction of Sister Dennis Frandrup O.S.B. Upon graduation, Joe worked for a variety of established potteries, eventually securing an apprenticeship with Mark Hewitt in Pittsboro, North Carolina. During his time at the Hewitt’s, Joe became part of their family. In addition to pottery, Joe learned much about organic gardening, how to balance family life and being an artist, and, in the aftermath of Hurricane Fran, how to chop down trees. It was also in North Carolina that Joe pursued training for and competing in triathlons. As with many things Joe attempted, he didn’t just participate in these events, but won them through the combination of talent, hard work, and ambition. These qualities also helped him run a successful art business for over 25 years. The very best of all his wonderful traits endure in the three beautiful children he and Molly share.  

Joe is survived by his children, Stella Catherine (19), Rose Keenan (15) and Luke Beaudoin (9), their mother, Molly Christensen; his parents, Joseph J. and Teresa Christensen; Siblings Matt (Ruth), Melissa (Christopher) and Mary Teresa (Tyson), Irish sister Rebecca (Mickey) and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles who are devastated by the loss of Joey. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Joey’s children at either  GoFundMe or to a trust set up by Joe’s parents for the benefit of his children:  The J. M. Christensen Children’s Fund, 5101 Vernon Ave. S., Suite 400, Edina, MN 55436.