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 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.