Nancy Dianne Christensen

Nancy Dianne (Wright) Christensen is now singing God's praises with the angels in His heavenly choir. She left her earthly body, passing into the heavenly realm to join her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 26, 2025, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, following a lengthy battle with ALS (Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).

Born August 13, 1951, in El Paso, Texas, she was the youngest of eight daughters born to Erastus Arthur (Don) and Chrystine (nee McDaniel) Wright.

Nancy graduated from Fairacres High School (NM) in 1969. She began her undergraduate career at Penn State University, then continued working toward her Bachelor degree on and off for the next 54 years, as she took classes at the University of Wisconsin, one class at a time, proudly graduating as one of their most “mature” undergraduates in history. Nancy finally walked across the stage in her UW - Green Bay Phoenix cap and gown to claim her BA in Organizational Leadership in 2023. She was a massage therapist for many years while working towards her degree, as well as serving in many career and professional roles in the Waupaca and Appleton areas during that time.

Nancy also attended the Global Ministry School in Mechanicsburg, PA in 2011-12. She found this training fulfilling because she had a heart for people. Nancy was always concerned for the poor, homeless, needy, and hurting. In fact, Isaiah 58:7-8 could have been a motto for her. She was one of the most caring, empathetic, and giving people you would ever meet, and she hoped and prayed for friends like that in return.

Nancy also had a side that could be “punnily” described as liking she“NAN”igans. Although the last few years found her in diminishing health with severe (long-term hospitalized) COVID and ALS, she still enjoyed breaking out of everyday life (and her nursing home!) and finding joy in it. Whether it was little pranks, puns and practical jokes, or just a big sigh of satisfaction while driving on a nice day in May with the windows down and a hand hanging out of it, listening to the radio and feeling thankful that a long winter was over, she found joy. Nancy lived for the moments when she remembered that it was ok to let go of her intensity and remember her passion for life, living, and feeling ok. In fact, in the last few years of her life, Nancy really began to understand the concept of God's grace. She saw each day as a gift, each person as a gift, and salvation as a gift. She understood that all three were things that she could either hold onto or squander, and she learned how to hold onto each of them as best she could, even as her physical body began to decline. Her faith in Jesus was fully realized in the early morning hours on April 26, when her body was finally made whole again. Only by grace, only by faith.

Survivors include her children Stacci (Todd) Barganz of Johnson Creek, Jennifer Christensen of Appleton, and Timothy (Jennifer) Christensen Jr. of Appleton. Survivors also include her grandchildren, who were her world: Joseph, Javani, Elizabeth, Chloe, Levi, Harlin, Emmalyn and Harley. Other survivors include her ex-husband Timothy (Sue) Christensen Sr and four of her sisters: Vicky Taylor of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; Dawna (Ken) Arakaki of Huntsville, Alabama; Cheri (John) Wamsley of Ft. Worth, Texas; and Linda (Merle) Osborn of Las Cruces, New Mexico; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Finally, Nancy's survivors include friends who became family to her once they got to know her because of the love she showed to them and they to her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband Kenneth Cook, and three sisters: Sylvania Tucker, Mary Rosalie (Rose) Cooper, and Sandra Cross.

A memorial service and dessert reception is planned for May 30th, 2025, at Appleton Community Evangelical Free Church. A visitation will be held at 2:30pm. A service is planned for 4pm, followed by a dessert reception.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted to the family for a fund that will benefit the community in some small way, as Nancy would have wished.

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

1 Peter 5:10

Thank you to Eden Meadows Long-term Nursing Care, St. Croix Hospice, the ALS Foundation, and Josh (EM), Anna (EM), and Lisa (St. Croix) for taking such good care of our mom. -Stacci, Jenny, and Tim