Daniel Leon Christensen

Daniel Leon Christensen was born in Fresno, California in 1947 to loving parents and went to be with the Lord on July 1, 2023, at the age of 75. Danny was the oldest of four children and was the epitome of the perfect "big brother." He attended Alice Birney Elementary, Wishon Elementary, Sierra Junior High, McLane High School, and Fresno City College. He remained life-long friends with many of his former classmates.
As a teenager one of his first jobs was working at the first McDonald's in Fresno located on the corner of Shields and Blackstone. Another early job Danny held was working at Disneyland cleaning the park after hours. After settling back in Fresno, Danny worked for a time at St. Agnes Hospital as an Orderly and Gottschalks Department Store in the shoes and men's suits departments. Much of his adult life was spent as a car salesman for various local dealerships including Rontell's Volvo, Hallowell Chevrolet, Clawson Honda, and Fresno Acura. Later, during his retirement years, Danny especially loved his work at Farewell Funeral Service helping comfort others as they said goodbye to their loved ones.
Danny served as Distinguished Past President of East Fresno Kiwanis Club from 1994/95, an organization he belonged to for more than 40 years. He also obtained the "Supreme Council 33" Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of Clovis.
Danny married Anka Kikanovic in1973. They were happily married and enjoyed a beautiful life together until Anka's passing in 2005. They especially enjoyed the many trips they took to visit her family in Montenegro.
Danny was blessed again when he fell in love and married Susan Mangini in 2007. Susan's daughters and grandchildren became his family. He was so proud of all of them and their accomplishments.
Although Danny was uncle to three nieces and three nephews, he was known to many, many more as "Uncle Danny."
Welcoming Danny in Heaven are his parents Leon and Roxanna Christensen, his beloved first wife, Anka Christensen, and many other relatives and friends who preceded him in death.
Danny is survived by his current wife, Susan Christensen, his sisters Pamela Deveau (Richard) and Marcie Christensen (Mark Ducas), brother Chris Christensen (Tami), step-daughters Lisa Thurman (Steve) and Tina Rocca (Ryan) along with grandchildren Rylee, Delaney, and Aubrey Rocca, and James Thurman, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, July 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the G.L. Johnson Chapel, People's Church, 7172 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno, CA 93720.
In lieu of flowers, the family feels Danny would appreciate donations made in his honor to:
The National Kidney Foundation, 220 Montgomery Street, Suite 1041, San Francisco, CA 94104 www.kidney.org Or American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023