Leslie Eugene Christenson was born July 8, 1934, the eldest son of Everett and Clara (Seele) Christenson. He counted it his good fortune to have been born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas. He graduated from Lawrence’s Liberty Memorial High School in 1953, and attended Kansas University for two years before moving on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.
After completing six months active duty as a six-year Army Reservist in 1960, he moved to Brooklyn Heights, and was employed as an assistant designer in the interior design firm of Michael Greer, Inc., in New York City. In 1962, he purchased an 1840 vintage brownstone row house in Brooklyn Heights and made it his home for the rest of his 47 years in New York. In November, 1965, he established his own interior design firm, Leslie E. Christenson, Ltd., and practiced residential design in the New York City area until he retired at age 72 in 2007.
His years in New York were made golden by many, many people, but especially two men whose friendship and love were special gifts. He met Gilles Perrier in the spring of 1964, and over the years they became brothers. Gilles was called home by God in November, 2003. Joe Tramontano, whom Leslie met in January, 1979, shared his zest for life, and the two became buddies.
After selling his home in Brooklyn in March, 2007, Leslie returned to his hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, to assist his aging mother. He was preceded in death by his only sibling, Edward Wayne Christenson, who died in an auto accident in March, 1969, and his father in 1983 and his mother in 2012. He is survived by a close knit extended family of many cousins.
It was his parting wish to thank all who made his long life such a wonderful adventure. No services are planned at this time. He died January 19, 2026, at Presbyterian Manor.
Leslie knew my family since before I was born. In the earl 80’s we moved into a brownstone in Brooklyn Heights and he was the decorator. I had since joked with him that he painted her living room various shades of bubblegum pink. He always corrected me and said “It was dusty rose”. His choices were bold and beautiful, and my mother was always right on board with his vision. Over time, Leslie remained friends with my family and lived right around the corner from us. When he moved back to Kansas he stayed in touch, wrote many letters and often came to visit us in NYC. It was always so fun to see him and he was always up for an adventure anywhere from hipster Williamsburg to a traditional museum. He also had been a tenant of my grandmother’s when he was a student at Pratt. As such, he often regaled me with stories of my grandmother as a young woman, as well as stories of my aunt and mother & father and the old neighborhood personalities. He very much enjoyed being a New Yorker as much as he was proud to be from Kansas. My parents, now in their 90’s themselves, miss Leslie so much, and my mother will miss chatting on the phone with him on Sundays. I will miss his presence. I will treasure his letters and drawings he did for me on how to decorate (even after he had formally retired). He was a talented man who enjoyed everything life had to offer. He was a kind man, well-read and always up on politics, arts and literature. He had a curious and creative mind. He was a special person. He was a loving son. And I agree with Debi D. – he always signed his letters “from down on the farm”. Let it be known lastly that he was a Luddite – and never adopted technology, preferring old-fashioned ways of living. He will be so missed!
I met Leslie through my work after his mother passed away. He was one of the real delights of my work, and I missed working with him less over the last few years as my job changed. My condolences to his family and friends: Thank you for sharing him with us and making our lives a little more pleasant!
Leslie, we miss you. You were always kind and considerate and both my children are better for knowing you. Of your many qualities, I especially enjoyed how you were a consummate gentleman. Your manners reflected a care for people, their thoughts and feelings. Your sense of humor was understated, my favorite kind! I still remember the sound of your chuckle and my Dad’s laughter during your visits when you shared so many thoughts and memories from your childhoods. I also benefitted from your perspective on dear family members who are now gone, especially my Grandma Bessie. You will always be missed
My Dad loved his cousins and we have been blessed with a family of storytellers. Though I didnt get to see Leslie often the few times I did were filled with laughter! The stories he told me about my Dad (always hiding in the outhouse to get out of work and playing the piano in the yard) are absolutely priceless to me. One of the biggest blessings of my life was to be born into a family that created people like Leslie. People who are funny, kind, talented, smart and just amazing people. Thank You for being you. We will keep your memory alive and you will hear us laughing and telling more stories here at the Farm ❤️
Leslie was such a sweet soul and loved by many. I always enjoyed attending the cousin reunions and listening to all the stories he told about growing up with my father and all the other cousins. He was such a fun storyteller and always with a lot of humor and flare. He will be missed greatly. He loved to visit and would often end a phone conversation with “well I guess I’ve done all the talking again” but he was also a good listener. Always asked about my family and what everyone was doing. I’ll miss his cards and letters that were always signed; From down on the farm Love, Leslie. Rest in peace Leslie and I hope they have a good red wine in heaven and that you will save me a glass. Going to miss you my dear.