Alice Elaine Christiansen

Alice Elaine Christiansen, 91, of Pender, NE, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026, at the Heritage of Emerson Nursing Home in Emerson, NE. The visitation will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Pender, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Pender. Burial will be in the Rosehill Cemetery in Pender. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Elaine was born on June 18, 1934, near Tekamah, NE, on the family farm, the daughter of Emil and Mae (Conway) Kjeldgaard. She graduated from Bancroft High School in 1952 and attended the College of St. Mary’s for two years. On September 25, 1954, Elaine was united in marriage to Densil M. Christiansen in Bancroft, NE. To this union, six children were born: Vikki, Timothy, Michael, Gregory, Coleen, and Gina. Elaine and Densil loved to travel and dance. Elaine enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, painting, and all things Nebraska Cornhuskers. She was active with the Catholic Church, serving with the Altar Society, a member of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, ESA Gamma Iota Chapter, the Pender Museum Board, the Pender Community Center fundraising board, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Elaine loved to attend her children's and grandchildren’s activities.

She is survived by her daughters, Vikki (Steve) Petersen of Sioux Falls, SD, Coleen (Rod) Kinning of Tabor, SD, Gina (Marty) Roth of Pender, NE; sons, Tim Christiansen of Omaha, NE, Mike Christiansen of Sioux City, IA, Greg (Robin) Christiansen of Pender, NE; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Joyce Scheibler of Denver, CO.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Densil; sister, Donna Henkel; brothers, Larry Kjeldgaard, and Br. Francis Kjeldgaard.