Nina Anne Christen

Nina Anne (Dannenberg) Christen, age 85, of Napoleon, OH, made her final appointment with Jesus on Friday, December 29, 2023, just before noon. You know Nina was never late for an appointment. Her husband, Ronald Christen, honored their promise to love one another for 66 years, caring for her in health, and in sickness, until the end. Nina was known for her determination, strong will, sharp wit (an even sharper tongue), and her love and passion for kitties. She often kept her work and homelife separate, although her homelife was nothing short of a full-time job. In addition to caring for her children and household, you could find her immersed in all kinds of crafts – sewing, ceramics, jewelry making – a pastime she shared with her children and later her grandchildren. She was an avid gardener and a voracious canner. She was the best fisherwoman in all the Great Lakes. She was passionate about her kitties and spent considerable time rescuing, nurturing, and loving any cat that crossed her path. Nina was born November 30, 1938, and grew up on N. Perry Street in Napoleon, Ohio, to parents Martha and Delbert Dannenberg. She attended St. Paul Lutheran School through the 8th grade. After graduating from Napoleon High School in 1956 she attended Stautzenberger College in Toledo, Ohio where she studied office management. Nina continued her career working in Napoleon at the Metropole Supper Club, owned by her grandparents. Working at Chief Supermarket for the majority of her career, first as a cashier then as a vendor receiver, Nina knew everyone in town. She believed in strength in solidarity and served as the Union Steward at Chief for many years. She met Ronald Christen, the love of her life, while roller skating in Wauseon, Ohio with her younger sister Marr’Del (Bruce) Werder. Ronnie and Nina married on November 23, 1957 and enjoyed adventures with their three daughters, Melynda (Ross) Moser of Napoleon, Colette (Dennis) Yetter of Holgate, and Cynthia (Thomas) Meiring of Memphis, Tennessee. A fourth daughter, Amanda (David) Dominique of Monroe, Michigan, surprised Ronnie and Nina later in life, bringing all new adventures. Nina was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, her sister Marr’Del, and many beloved cats. She is survived by her husband, Ronnie, their four daughters and spouses, sister-in-law Sharon (Ray) Carnahan of Defiance, OH, sister Melissa Steusloff of Napoleon, OH, Nina’s 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, and an extended family of nieces and nephews. She also is survived by three kitties, Ms. P, Dusty, and Valentine, and a bevy of grand and great grand dogs. The family would like to thank Ohioans, the professionals at the Henry County Hospital, and the nurses at Hospice of Defiance for their kindness and compassionate care during the final weeks of Nina’s earthly life Donations made in her honor are welcomed by St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Henry County Humane Society.

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Nina Anne Christen

November 30, 1938 - December 29, 2023