Frances Mae Christensen

Frances Mae (Schindler) Christensen passed away peacefully a month shy of 100 years old on September 13, 2026, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

Fran was born October 9, 1926, in Kimball, NE, to Charles and Ina (Penick) Schindler. She attended school in Kimball and, after two years of teaching in a country school, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Christensen, on June 6, 1948, in Kimball. Mom and Dad moved to Laramie, WY, soon after they were married and started Chris’s Bakery, which they operated until the mid-1960s. When Fran wasn’t working next to Bob at the bakery, she stayed home to raise their five daughters. She was an accomplished seamstress, making many dance costumes, clothing for her girls, and helping with 4-H projects. Treasured memories of singing around the piano as she shared her love of playing the piano and singing taught her girls the love of music. Bob and Fran were also known for their love of dancing and were quite accomplished in spite of their height difference.. If there was music, they were on the dance floor.

After their youngest started school, Fran helped her parents with Schindler’s Feed Market and then took a job with Wyoming Construction as an office manager, all the while helping Bob with his duties at the Laramie Country Club. Bob retired from his work in 1989 and the two became “snowbirds”, traveling to Florida in the winter. Mom and Dad enjoyed their many years living in The Villages golfing and were blessed with special friendships there. They loved to travel, especially to visit their kids, and the two had many adventures together. Mom helped Bob with his garden, was his “sous chef” when he was in the kitchen, and golfed as much as she could. They sold their Laramie home of 60 years in 2014 and began spending their summers in Sheridan with Dee. In 2020. Dad’s declining health and the beginning of Mom’s dementia prompted them to move into assisted living in Sheridan.

Mom’s father nicknamed her “Pete”, She was raised on a ranch in Kimball and was the oldest sister to three ornery brothers. Her daughters marvel at the Mom she became having five girls.

Mom was known for her patience and grace, and always had a song in her heart. When asked for words of wisdom, she always said “Keep on keeping on“ or “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”, or “pretty is as pretty does”. Even as her dementia advanced, she exuded these qualities and attitudes, and when she heard music she was not deterred by her weakened physical condition to start moving to the beat and singing along. Mom and her family are very blessed that she was surrounded by loving care from the staff at Cascades at Sugarland who always encouraged and provided her the opportunities that would enrich her life.

Fran is survived by their five daughters, Dee (Walt) Davis of Sheridan, WY; Danna (Rich) Williams of Laramie, WY; Darel Agresta of Englewood Cliffs, NJ; Dale Susan “Susie” (Dan) McNierney of Laramie, WY; Darcy (Norm) Sams of Weston, WY; and her sister-in-law, Dee Schinder of Wheatland, WY. She was blessed with 13 grandchildren: Shauna Williams (Jeff Armstrong) of Sheridan; Beth (Brett) Wheatcroft of Chattanooga, TN; Anna (Joe) Youmans of Laramie, WY; Robert (Natalie) Agresta of Newport, RI; Jack (Margaux) Agresta of Boca Raton, FL; Britta Jo Starks of Laramie, WY; Joe (Sarah) McNierney of FL; Felicia (James) Hartsoch of Gillette, WY; Cassie Sams of Weston, WY; Ashley Sams of Spearfish, SD; Rachel (Preston) RIninger of Cheyenne, WY. Fran was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers Dick Schindler, Charles (Bud) Schindler, and Jim Schindler, and son-in-law, Joseph “Skip” Agresta.

A celebration of life for Fran will be held at Cascades at Sugarland on October 3rd at 2:00 and a celebration of life for both Bob and Fran will be held next summer in Laramie. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity.

Online condolences may be written at https://www.kanefuneral.com/

Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.