1961
Susan
2024
Susan Mary Christensen
February 15, 1961 — November 18, 2024
February 15, 1961 – November 18, 2024
Susan was born Susan Mary Marchand to parents Charles F. and Millie L. Marchand on February 15, 1961, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and grew up in Millard, Omaha, Nebraska. Susan graduated from Millard High School in 1979 and attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, where she met her beloved husband and best friend of 45 years (41 years of marriage), Todd Christensen, at freshman orientation. While learning a dance, Todd purposely kept kicking Susan. The next day, after coyly asking Susan how her leg was, Todd asked her out for drinks at Alice’s Country Tavern. The rest, as they say, was history.
Susan and Todd were married on September 24, 1983, and settled in Omaha, Nebraska, and had two children, Jeremy and Kelsey. Susan began working as a typist/secretary at Farmers National Company and, over the course of an inspiring career that spanned nearly four decades with FNC, she rose to the level of Senior Vice President of Marketing and member of FNC’s Board of Directors. Leading by example, Susan was a strong advocate for women in business and a long-time member of the American Business Women’s Association.
While advancing in her career, Susan was simultaneously a devoted and loving mother to Jeremy (39) and Kelsey (36). Susan always prioritized her family and ceaselessly advocated for her children. As a mother, she was attentive and giving, always ensuring that Jeremy and Kelsey never went without or wanted for anything. As Jeremy and Kelsey grew to be adults, it was with pride that Susan would call them not only her children, but her friends.
In 2021, Susan retired from Farmers National Company to focus on her newest priorities in life: being a grandma to her two grandsons, Theo (4) and Benny (2), and enjoying the combined fruits of their decades of labor with Todd. Susan was born to be a grandma. She doted on her grandsons and showered them with love, and spending time with them was one of her greatest joys in life. In turn, Theo and Benny adored their “Grandma Susan”, showering her with hugs, kisses, and belly laughs.
Susan loved her family. She loved golfing, traveling, and sitting with Todd on their back deck to watch the golfers play through. She loved reading and Chardonnay. She loved being the favorite aunt to her nieces and nephews and the adoptive mom to her kids’ friends. She loved her brothers and she loved hosting the Marchand family every year for Christmas Eve. Susan loved life.
Susan died at age 63 on November 18, 2024, from complications due to ALS, only 10 months following her diagnosis. In her final hours, Susan was surrounded in love by her family and was at peace. Susan is preceded in death by her parents, Charlie F. and Millie L. Marchand; her brother, Greg L. Marchand; her father- and mother-in-law, Vigo D. and Esther H. Christensen; and her brother-in-law Eric D. Christensen. She is survived by her husband Todd; her son Jeremy T. Christensen (Courtney); her daughter Kelsey L. Christensen (Darius); her grandsons Theodore T. and Bennett S. Christensen; her brothers Charlie (Connie), Steve (Terry), and Doug (Barb) Marchand; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Lutheran Church (17007 Q Street Omaha, NE) followed by an open house reception at Barroco Wine Bar (2935 S 108th Street) from 12-3 pm. Attendees are encouraged to dress casually and wear green, Susan’s favorite color.
In lieu of flowers, the family strongly requests that donations be made in Susan's memory to ALS in the Heartland (https://alsintheheartland.org/), an organization whose staff work tirelessly for those in the Nebraska and Iowa communities who are afflicted with ALS and whose services allowed Susan to live with dignity and courage following her diagnosis.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Susan Mary Christensen, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Friday, December 6, 2024
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
St. Thomas Lutheran Church
Guestbook
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