NASHUA — Richard “Dick” Christensen, 75, of Nashua, died Saturday, August 1, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family and the familiar comforts of the life he had built.
A celebration of Dick’s life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the Nashua Town and Country Club in Nashua. The gathering will take place on what would have been Dick and his wife Sandy’s 56th wedding anniversary.
Dick was born June 20, 1951, in Charles City, the son of Lyle Christensen and Essell Reasland Walther.
He moved with his family to a farm near Nashua when he was 8 years old. Growing up on the farm helped shape his strong work ethic and sparked a lifelong appreciation for hunting, fishing, gardening and the outdoors.
Dick was part of the final class to attend the local country school and later graduated from Nashua High School in 1970.
On August 30, 1970, he married Sandra “Sandy” Fanska at Faith Bible Chapel in Charles City. Together, they spent more than 55 years building a home, raising their family and sharing a life filled with love and memories.
Throughout his working years, Dick was employed at the Nashua Creamery, Meinerz Creamery in Fredericksburg and Mayfields Laboratories in Charles City. He also completed a variety of handyman jobs and was known for his willingness to work hard and help wherever he was needed.
Dick loved fishing, especially along the Mississippi River, and rarely passed up an opportunity to spend a day outdoors. Hunting and trapping were also lifelong passions, while his garden remained a particular source of pride.
He enjoyed growing food worth sharing, preparing more than enough for everyone and making family and friends laugh with his distinctive sense of humor.
Dick is survived by his wife, Sandra “Sandy” Christensen; children, Tina Schmidt and Jeremy Christensen and his wife, Kim; siblings, Kim Wadey and her husband, Doug, Steve Christensen and Janet Cromer, and Larry Christensen and Lora Schwickerath; sisters-in-law, Kelly Christensen and Linda Clay and her husband, Steve; grandchildren, Kayla Mohr and her husband, Jeremy, Derek Drake, Zachary Schmidt and his wife, Chelsey, Chad Rich, and Caroline Hendrick and her husband, Derrick; and great-grandchildren, Ellie Rich, Mathias Hendrick, Remus Hendrick and Atlas Hendrick.
He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends who will carry on his stories and memories.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Marvin “Marv” Christensen and Allen Christensen; and his beloved dog, Boomer.
Those wishing to honor Dick’s memory are encouraged to cast a fishing line, grow something worth sharing, make more food than necessary and spend time giving a little good-natured grief to the people they love.
HUGEBACK-JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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