Wilma Jean Christensen

January 14, 1947 – November 23rd, 2023

Independence, MO - On Thursday, November 23rd, 2023, Wilma Christensen passed away peacefully at the age of 76. Wilma was born in Glasgow, Missouri on January 14th, 1947, the fourth child of Josephine and Norbert Himmelberg. Her childhood was spent working and playing on her family farm. She enjoyed the farm life - playing with the cats and dogs, helping pick vegetables, sleigh riding on the surrounding hills in winter. Softball was her sport and she liked listening to St. Louis Cardinal baseball games on the radio. As a teenager she became an aunt and loved caring for her niece and nephews.

Caregiving was in her nature. Wilma graduated from nursing school and pursued what would become her life’s work in healthcare as a registered nurse. In 1970, she married Steve Christensen, also born in Glasgow. The birth of their son Eric followed in 1973, and daughter Leslie arrived in 1979. They settled their family home in Independence, Missouri. Her time working at Independence Women’s Clinic helping deliver babies was a career highlight during those years.

Like her mother, Wilma was a great seamstress and cook. Her fried chicken and homemade cookies, cakes, and pies were the centers of many festive gatherings. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, and family was the center of her life. She was a dedicated sidelines cheerleader for her children’s and grandchildren’s sports games and performances. Throughout her life she cared for many people and was highly engaged in community service. From her service at Nativity of Mary Church and its Altar Society to her social justice advocacy, Wilma was committed to helping others and devoted to charitable deeds.

Wilma was preceded in death by her mother and father, Josephine and Norbert, as well as her husband, Steve. She is survived by her three sisters, Mary Jo, Judy, and Helen, her brother Leo, her children Leslie and Eric, daughter-in-law Amy, son-in-law Eric, and her granddaughters Ella, Macy, and Abby. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 12th at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, where Wilma found fellowship in her faith for over forty years. The visitation will be at 10am with a funeral mass starting at 11am. The family would like to extend an invitation to have you join them for lunch following mass. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Kansas City Hospice who provided exceptional care for Wilma and her family, as well as Nativity of Mary Parish.