Bernadette "Bernie" Christiansen

Service Announcement:
Join us for a celebration of Bernadette’s life at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at The Capri Theater, 2027 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis. Stay for lunch and Bernie's famous margaritas. We ask that you are up-to-date on your Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters.

A livestream and recording of the event will be available below for those who wish to join in the celebration, but are unable to attend.

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Bernadette “Bernie” Nord Christiansen died on November 8, 2021 of complications from Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer. She was 63 years old. A celebration of life will be held for her at The Capri Theater, 2027 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411.

From Bernie:

One of the advantages of finding out at 60 that you have Stage IV, Grace 3, Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer is that you get a chance to experience the reality that “we are all terminal” up close and personal. I decided to write my own obit.

I’m not going to have an epitaph on a headstone – simply my name with the year of my birth - a dash - and the year of my death. For me it’s all about the dash. While far from perfect, I have tried to live the dash with candor, kindness and humor. If our paths crossed, I hope that was your experience, if it was not, please forgive me.

February 11, 1958 was a noteworthy day in the Catholic Church as it was the 100th anniversary of the Virgin Mary appearing to Bernadette at Lourdes. The first girl born at Saint Francis Hospital in Shakopee, MN on that date I was named, of course, Bernadette.

I graduated from Edina East High School in 1976 and the College of Saint Benedict in 1980.

In 1983 I married my honey, Paul Christiansen. We had two wonderful kids, Phil and Grace. Over the years we shared our home with five dogs, many goldfish, a guinea pig and a CRAZY gerbil that literally NEVER slept. With humor, love, and luck we dealt with the challenges we faced and enjoyed our life together. Adding even more joy, in 2018 our grandson Lev was born.

In addition to a loving and supportive family I have been fortunate to have many amazing friends. Together we have shared a love of reading, walking, traveling, knitting, quilting, biking, theater, movie, and concert going and cooking and eating.

My professional life was full of meaningful work from having my own consulting business to working at the Guthrie Theater and McKnight Foundation. I was honored to serve on boards of organizations I care about deeply including PCYC and the Capri.

I am preceded in death by my mother and father, brother Tom Nord and sister Laurie Nord. I am survived by my husband Paul and son Phil of Minneapolis, MN, my daughter Grace (David Temin) and grandson Lev Christiansen-Temin of Ann Arbor, MI, my sisters Karen Kerkhove of Sioux Falls, SD and Mary Weber Nord of Minneapolis, MN and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers or cash donations to my family, you can honor my memory by contributing to:

The Capri Theater

�   Attention: James Scott

�   � � 2027 West Broadway Avenue

� �   � Minneapolis, MN 55411

The Birch Scholarship Fund, in remembrance of Bernie Christiansen at Tofte Lake Center  or

Tofte Lake Center

2209 Fernberg Road

Ely, MN 55713

TLC is an artist residence program on a secluded lake north of Ely, MN. I served on the board of TLC for nine years. The Birch Scholarship will allow one artist each summer to stay at TLC for a week to recharge, focus and work. Many/Most working artists do not have the financial capacity to take a week off from any paying gigs (artistic or otherwise) and pay the housing fee at TLC. Ideally the scholarship fund will pay all fees for the week and provide a stipend for travel and food.

Mayo Clinic at www.philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC or

Department of Development

Mayo Clinic

200 First St. SW

Rochester, MN 55905

In addition to being the nation’s highest regarded medical facility, Mayo Clinic provides advanced, cutting edge treatment for rare diseases such as the cancer I had. I participated in three studies of pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer while I was a patient at Mayo.

To best honor my memory, you can take a walk in nature, share a meal with a friend, listen to someone who needs an ear, hug a loved one, or let a child know how deeply you appreciate him or her being part of your life. Cherish each day and “shower the people you love with love.”