Carol J. Christensen, 78, of Axtell, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Minden Cemetery with PMA Julie Schmidt officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Carol’s honor are kindly suggested to the Axtell Volunteer Fire Department or the American Red Cross in Kearney. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Carol Joan Christensen was born on March 15, 1948, in McCook to Earl Ernest and Zona Belle (McCarty) Volgamore. She grew up on a farm near Beaver City and graduated from Beaver City High School. She later moved to Kearney to attend Beauty School; upon graduation, Carol moved to Minden where she started working for Tuets Sinnen at her salon.

Carol was united in marriage to Vern L. Christensen on September 21, 1968, in Minden, and to this union two children were born: Sonja and Chad. They lived on the farm near Minden, where she loved working in the yard and gardening, as well as caring for the flowers and all the animals. Carol and Vern moved to Axtell in 2010.

Carol loved playing bridge, going thrifting, and spending time with friends and family. She loved people and was always helping anyone she could; she served as a caretaker for many elderly in the Kearney County area and was a “motherly” figure to many. Carol was a member of the Axtell Volunteer Fire Department from July 2010 to January 2020, where she served on the Executive Board and was affectionately known as “Cookie Carol”. Carol and Vern were also active members of the Minden Community Players for many years. She especially enjoyed the comradery of card games she helped host with her friends from Entertainment Plus in Kearney.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Vern of Axtell; daughter, Sonja Pebeck of Hastings; son, Chad Christensen of Minden; grandchildren, Foster Christensen, Myles Christensen and Griffyn Pebeck; sisters, Arlene Patsios and Karen Coffey; brother, Ervin (Shirley) Volgamore; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Orval and Marie Christensen; brothers-in-law, Robert (Audrey) Christensen, Jim Patsios, and Cletus Coffey.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.