Sylvia B. Christensen, 99, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, April 27 at 10:30 AM, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus with Pastor Ollie Fullmer and Pastor Joanna Kathol officiating. Interment will be in Columbus Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Monday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Orphan Grain Train or the donor's choice.

Sylvia was born June 20, 1926, in rural Miner County, South Dakota, near Carthage, to William and Mary (Lorang) Burmeister. She graduated from Argonne Consolidated School in Argonne South Dakota. She continued her education at Grand Island Business School before moving to Columbus in 1945. On November 7, 1948, Sylvia was united in marriage to Lyle Christensen at United Lutheran Church in Columbus. Together they celebrated 72 years of marriage the day before Lyle’s death in 2020.

In 1960, Sylvia and Lyle established A-1 Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners. They retired from this business in 1990. They were members of Harold’s Square Dance Club and enjoyed many years of camping and traveling with friends and family as part of the Sam’s Camping Club Path Finders group. She was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church, part of the Faith Circle and a member of Platte County Historical Society.

Sylvia is survived by:
Son – Clifford (Kathy) Christensen of Genoa, NE
Daughter – Julie Kathol of Omaha, NE
Son – Steve Christensen of Columbus, NE
Four Grandchildren, Five Great-Grandchildren, and One Great-Great-Grandchild

Sylvia was preceded in death by:
Parents – William and Mary Burmeister
Step-Mother – Evelyn Burmeister
Husband – Lyle Christensen
Infant Son – Dennis Christensen
Sisters – Evelyn Schenegge and Florence Sablotny
Brothers – Ernest “Bud” Burmeister and Arnold Burmeister