Nancy Christiansen

Nancy was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher, and friend. She was born in Marquette, MI on August 3, 1934 to parents Louis and Angela (Knaus) Tauses. Nancy graduated from Graveraet High School and went on to get a BA in Elementary Education from Western State Normal School (now Western Michigan University).

After graduating from college, Nancy taught first and second grades in Riverview Michigan and worked two years for a U.S. Department of Defense school in Hanau, Germany. Life in Germany fueled her love of travel and adventure with weekend trips around Germany and to Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. This also allowed her to keep in touch with extended family in Yugoslavia (Slovenia).

Upon returning from abroad, Nancy continued her travels across the United States and Canada with friends and family members. She eventually put roots down in Midland, MI and worked as a teacher at Eastlawn Elementary. More than anything, Nancy wanted to have children and raise a family and, on June 13, 1964, Nancy married fellow Midland Public Schools educator, Robert (Bob) Christiansen, and began her next adventure. Together, they raised five children in whom she instilled, not only the importance of a strong work ethic, but the power of family, fun, laughter, and love. Her children reaped the benefits of Nancy and Bob’s love of travel and the outdoors with many road trips, camping, and time spent at “the lake lot” where they let the imaginations and creativity of small children expand.

Nancy believed in education and helping children learn. She was an avid reader and encouraged the same in her children and grandchildren. Drawing on her teaching background and love of children, she served as a paraprofessional in Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, helping students with reading or other learning as needed. Nancy loved the Blessed Sacrament Church community. Serving with the ladies of the church, she assisted with funeral luncheons, rummage sales, cleaning the church, making cinnamon rolls, baking altar bread, and contributing wherever needed. Nancy’s Christian faith was a cornerstone in her life. She was a seeker of knowledge and participated in a number of Bible studies, always feeling there was more to learn.

Nancy humbly exemplified the fruits of the spirit including charity, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, and forgiveness. She always showed gratitude and would state how blessed she was, even with her health declining. Those who cared for her physical needs always received a thank you, no matter the situation. She was a woman of faith, hope, and of great love and will be dearly missed.

Nancy is survived by her five children Angela (Dave) Pasek, Mary (Dan) Leys, Elizabeth Christiansen, Ernie (Beth) Christiansen, and John (Kelly) Christiansen along with her grandchildren, Joshua, Jacob, Ruth, Anna, Thomas, and Izzy. Also surviving are a brother-in-law, Wally Weber; sister-in-law, Janet (Christiansen) Clerc; and numerous nieces and nephews. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; parents, Louis and Angela Tauses; and sister Dorothy (Tauses) Weber.

Funeral Liturgy will take place 1 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2023 from Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Fr. Rob Howe will officiate with interment to follow in Midland City Cemetery. Nancy’s family will receive friends at the church Thursday from 12 noon until time of the Liturgy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to Grace A. Dow Memorial Library Childrens’ resources (gadml.org/book-donations); the Traunik Slovenian Club (N2991 ET Road, Trenary, Michigan, 49891); or to a charity of your choice.