Chelsey Amanda Lundquist

Chelsey Amanda Lundquist
September. 26, 1988 - May 29, 2023
Chelsey Amanda Lundquist passed from her mother's arms into the arms of Jesus on Monday, May 29, at AngelsGrace Hospice. She was 34.
Chelsey was born Sept. 26, 1988, in Seaford, DE. It was a pretty solid surprise because she was due at Christmastime. And we lived in Philadelphia. But it set the stage for a lifetime of "let's get on with it!" Chelsey always had stuff to do. And, most often, we did it.
Chelsey was known for her dazzling large vocabulary and wicked sense of humor, and she loved to use them both, sharing her mother's mantra of "why say it plain when you can say it fancy?" It was hard not to smile when Chelsey smiled. It was impossible not to laugh when she laughed. Chelsey made friends as easily as breathing. And if you were her friend, you were her friend for life. And you were so much the better for it.
Besides her people, Chelsey loved lots of things. She loved going to the ballet and to concerts and movies. "My Dog Skip" was her favorite. Music was a constant, especially Pink - whom we were looking forward to seeing this summer - Amy Grant, Kacey Musgraves, Zach Brown Band and Daniel O'Donnell, the latter which she shared with her grandma and Grandpa Knope. No one enjoyed dining out more than Chelsey did, always, always with dessert. You could not beat her at SkipBo. or in an argument. But she was so quick to forgive.
Chelsey loved talk therapy, guided meditation, and mindfulness. She was an expert at essential oils, knew the purpose of each one and was thrilled when her pal Tati would help her arrange hers into a rainbow by label color.
We would start planning Chel's next birthday celebration, usually a multi-day affair, about four minutes after the last one ended. But she was a pro at choosing or making gifts for other people too, because when she loved, she loved with her whole heart, and she paid attention to what her people were all about. She looked forward to our annual trips with Grandma and Grandpa Knope, and then just Grandma and mom, to the accessible cabin at Buckhorn State Park. Lately, her favorite place was Lake Geneva, where we'd shop, make candles, eat too much, and giggle all the way home. Or sometimes complain if something needed complaining about.
If you knew her, you also knew Chelsey was the toughest of fighters who endured and overcame many challenges in her life, mentally, physically and in the myriad setbacks and cruelties that could come with being part of the disabled community. She was a fierce advocate for herself and others. But she was so much more than her limitations and they rarely slowed her down. Chelsey got on with it, to the next good time.
And this most of all: Chelsey was her mom's world, heart, and soul. For 15 years, they figured out life, just the two of them, until Mr. Rik came along, our family took shape and bloomed. We were best friends, ballet buds, adventure pals, dining companions, expert shoppers and joined at the heart. When the hospital was necessary, we faced it together, mom falling to pieces and Chelsey winning over everyone in the place, no matter how sick she was. We also fought, as moms and daughters do, but Chelsey was a masterclass in grace and forgiveness.
Chelsey is survived by her mom and dad Lori and Rik Acken; her father Christopher Lundquist and his family; her beloved grandma Elaine Knope; her brother and sister-in-law Kendrick and Abby Acken and nephew Noble; her sister and brother-in-law Katie and Josh Plyter and niece, Kinley; her brother Keenan Acken; her best-ever aunt and uncle Kelly and Rick Karcz; her loving cousins, Andria Karcz, Elisabeth (Jim) Kelly and Ellyn (Mark) Ruhlmann and family; her grandma Fran Lamp; her aunt Dian Acken and cousins Maddie and Matthew McGraw, her great aunt Vicki Lore; other family members and too many friends to count. She joins her grandpa Junior Knope; great-aunt Carol "Aunt Hi" Rowan and great uncle Mike Buettner and great-grandparents Delmar and Erna Buettner and Wilbert and Lillian Knope; and numerous friends in heaven.
Chelsey's family would especially like to thank Dr. Justin Dux, who fought as hard as Chelsey did to fix all the troubles of the last few years and get her back to her big, busy life. Kay Roll, Tia Cass Tonz and Sarah Horvat, you were more than just her nurses; you were - and are - our lifelines and our friends. Tracy Z. and the rest of the wound care team at Waukesha Memorial, the 4SW nurses, Cindy Sywyk and Dr. Michelle Heaton, we thank you immeasurably, too. And the Brown family for making Chelsey part of your family and giving her a great place to resume her independence for the short time she lived at Brown House.
A celebration of Chelsey's life will be held Friday, June 16 at Elmbrook Church, 777 S. Barker Road, Brookfield, WI. Visitation begins at 12:30pm until the time of service at 2pm. After the service - and because no one loved a good time more than Chelsey - we will head to Filament, 131 W. Seeboth St. in Milwaukee to continue the celebration.
Because Chelsey was a longtime season ticket holder of the Milwaukee Ballet and "ballet days were the best days," in lieu of flowers, we ask that you please consider a donation to Milwaukee Ballet in tribute to Chelsey. Details can be found at milwaukeeballet.org/support/
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