Christine Louise Nantell

1949 - 2024

Christine Louise Nantell
May 15, 1949 - May 10, 2024
Christine ("Chris") Louise Nantell, née Loeser, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away on May 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Donald and Marjorie Loeser. Chris was the second child and first daughter in a family of 12 children. She began her education at St. Mary's School in Elm Grove Wisconsin before the family moved to the West Coast, settling in Walnut Creek, Calif.
It was here among the walnut orchards that young Chris and her sisters spent the afternoons riding their horses, beginning what would become a lifelong love of horseback riding. Years later, the family returned to the Midwest where Chris attended Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It was at CMH that Chris met her future husband James ("Jim") Nantell. After high school, both Chris and Jim attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison. They married in 1970 and after Jim's graduation from Madison, Chris completed an application for him to pursue a master's degree at San Francisco State University (which allowed her to return to California).
Chris and Jim chose to make their home on the Peninsula, where Chris embarked on a distinguished 30-year career in the airline industry at San Francisco International Airport. Her journey began in reservations for Western Airlines, and over the span of three decades, she excelled in diverse roles such as reservations, ticket counter operations, boarding gate management, and supervisory positions overseeing flight attendants based out of SFO.
Jim and Chris were blessed with four children: daughters Erin, Ashley and Madeline and son Michael. All four children attended Our Lady of Angels (OLA) in Burlingame. The family loved being a part of the OLA parish for over 30 years. After retiring from Delta Airlines, Chris joined Father Donal Burke in fundraising for the Capuchin Franciscan Friars retirement fund.
Over the years, Chris excelled in customer service both in her airline career and in helping her husband Jim, and brother-in-law, Peter Nantell on the logistics of large participatory events including The San Francisco Marathon and the Bay to Breakers (despite the fact that the latter event always competed with her own birthday!)
One of the perks of her airline employment was flying privileges. Using this benefit, Chris planned family vacations to destinations such as Hawaii, London, Paris, and Prague. She had a knack for always finding the most perfect souvenirs to bring back home to share. To keep in touch with her large family in Wisconsin, she also organized annual trips to the lake country in Waukesha County.
Chris passed on her love of horseback riding to her eldest daughter, Erin, and granddaughter, Reese. In retirement, Chris and Jim moved to the Town of Windsor in Sonoma County where Chris, Erin and Reese have been able to enjoy their love of horses together. Chris' sister Amy and niece Hillary also joined her at local horse shows and for trail rides in the beautiful parks of Sonoma County.
For Chris, her family was everything. Having served as a second mother to many of her siblings growing up, she invited them to follow her back to California. She was delighted to have her mother and nine siblings return to the West Coast; three of which have remained and raised their own families in California. Chris was a fabulous cook and an exceptional baker who loved entertaining friends, family and relatives for the holidays and other family celebrations.
In Windsor, Chris continued the tradition of hosting regular family gatherings, eagerly anticipated by not only her children but also her young grandchildren. They delighted in swimming in the pool and savoring whatever special dessert Grandma had lovingly prepared from scratch for the occasion.
In her later years, as her health declined, the compassionate care provided by her husband Jim and daughter Madeline, coupled with the consistent visits from her sister Amy, her children Erin, Ashley, Michael along with the support of family members and friends, brought her immense comfort during challenging times. The Nantell family is also extremely grateful for the care By the Bay Health provided to Chris during the last month of her life.
Chris Nantell is survived by her husband of 54 years, James Nantell; daughters Erin Pasero (Jason) and Ashley Burke (John); son Michael Nantell; daughter Madeline Nantell; grandchildren Dominic and Reese Pasero, Jonathan and Naomi Burke. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Beth Kuehn, and is survived by sisters Mary Shovelton, Meg Miller, Amy Loeser, Joan Babbitt (Donald), Nancy Kopperud (Guy); brothers Chuck Loeser, Donald Loeser (Jody), Henry Loeser, Thomas Loeser (Ellen), Jon Loeser (Kathi); along with numerous nieces and nephews.
In memory of Chris' beautiful spirit and love that she shared with all she knew, a rosary will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 19 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 8400 Old Redwood Hwy, Windsor California and a Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21 at Our Lady of Angels, 1721 Hillside Drive in Burlingame, California.
Chris will be fondly remembered for her kindness, exceptional culinary talents, flair for hosting memorable gatherings, and boundless love for her cherished family and friends. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she touched.