Paula M. Killion

Paula Killion was born Paula Myrle Christensen at 12:42 AM on Friday, January 1st, 1965, winning the Fremont Tribune’s “Stork Derby” contest as the first baby born in Dodge County. She was the third child of Vigo Deverne Christensen and Esther Hellen Christensen, joining her two older brothers, Eric and Todd, completing their blossoming family. She was a bright and happy child growing up in Fremont, a small town outside of Omaha, a close-knit community where the friends you make last a lifetime. Of greatest note are her friendships with neighbors Karen Valentine (Honeywell) and Deb Gaskin (Miller.) These three remained joined at the hip for Paula’s lifetime, growing up, graduating high school, marrying, and raising their children together- proof that family isn’t limited to blood relation alone.

The Christensen family was a pillar in their community. Vigo and Esther both worked hard to make sure their children wanted for nothing, bringing their family on road trips and overseas vacations, attending many, many football games, and created a loving environment that was often cited as the “cool house” in the neighborhood, due in part to the home’s early adoption of the cutting-edge technology known as color television. While her older brothers often tormented her as older brothers tend to do, the three of them truly loved each other and remained close into their adulthood.

Growing up, Paula showed a strong connection with music, which bloomed into a love for the art form. She was an incredibly gifted vocalist and pianist, participating in multiple choirs during her schooling, and being cast as the lead in her high school’s musical during her senior year. Unfortunately, that gift didn’t extend to dancing- she recounted that they’d had to dramatically simplify the show’s choreography to keep her from breaking an ankle on stage. Regardless, her passion and talent as a musician carried her to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she studied as a music major. During her schooling she was able to travel, spending time in Los Angeles learning to work behind a recording booth in the studio.

She eventually found her way to Denver, Colorado, where she met the father of her children, William Hill. While their marriage wasn’t destined to last forever, the two of them remained close friends, truly a dynamic duo of raising a trio of feral children. Their first daughter, Sandy Hill, born in 1991, may not have been Paula’s biological daughter, but that didn’t stop her from fighting tooth and nail to bring the little girl into their loving home and raising her as her very own. They were joined in 1996 by the middle of the trio, Vigo, and then the final addition to the family, their son Seth in 1999. The five of them created a loving, thriving home in the Benson neighborhood of Omaha. Paula and Bill worked tirelessly, much like Paula’s own parents had, to ensure that their children were happy and healthy, providing an idyllic childhood full of laughter and memories. While her job as a project manager could be stressful, she truly put forth her very best effort every day to provide for her family and always approached work with positivity and determination.

Paula was passionate about being a mother. Her children were her life’s biggest love, her pride and joy, and every person who spoke to her knew it. Through all the trials and tribulations life brought, she supported her kids with unwavering kindness, acceptance, wisdom, and strength. This love wasn’t limited to her own children- many more of the kids’ friends were brought into the fold. Whether they were having issues with their own home lives or were just in need of a big mom hug, all her bonus kids never doubted that they had Paula in their corner. She was a mother over and over again to whoever needed it, and would do whatever she could to help a child in need.

Throughout her life, another passion that Paula was drawn toward was her love of animals. Paula created an original theme song for every pet she ever had, some of which will remain stuck in the heads of her loved ones for decades to come. She had a soft spot for dachshunds, beginning with her childhood dog Tinkerbell, the namesake of her children’s childhood dog, Belle. During her life she had every pet you can imagine under her roof- cat, dog, hamster, gecko, rat, bunny, fish, and snake. She loved each and every one dearly, even the snake, though that one did take a little bit of time. She cried during every ASPCA commercial and spent every dime she could afford donating to local shelters to help our furry friends find happy, loving homes.

In October 2013, Paula met (or re-met) a former coworker and friend of her brother Todd, John Killion. John showed her a picture of his car, which she immediately and enthusiastically identified as a red Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce. John immediately knew that this was the woman he wanted to marry, and in 2018 he did. The two of them eloped in May and shared a beautiful home together with their beloved dogs Skeeter and Skooter, and later a rescue beagle named Bagel. Their house was never complete without plenty of puppy kisses and cuddles.

When Paula was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2025, she took it in stride, placing her faith firmly in God. She went through chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, all while maintaining her positive attitude even though she was physically and emotionally exhausted. In 2026, she learned that her cancer was a rare and extremely aggressive form and had spread to her lungs despite all the treatment she’d undergone. At that time, she decided that she would put her energy toward enjoying the remainder of her life and spending time with her family. She spent her last weeks at home with her husband, son, and dogs, comfortable, at peace, and being bombarded with love from friends and family. Her final day living was spent in the company of her children, dogs, friends, and husband, laughing and sharing funny stories, holding her hands, and reminding her of how much she was loved.

God called Paula home at 6:00 AM on October 25, 2026. She passed into the arms of the Lord with her son Vigo, her lifelong friend Karen, and Karen’s son Nicholas at her side, making sure she was comfortable and warm.

Paula was a gentle soul, sharply intelligent, gifted in the arts. She was witty, funny, strong-willed, hard-working, and more than anything, unfailingly kind. Paula would walk into a room filled with strangers and leave with a room full of new friends. She always did her best to empathize with everyone, never passing judgement- she met everyone where they were at, and loved them no matter what. She brought brightness and levity into the lives of everyone she encountered. The world is a brighter place for having had her in it, and while it is a little dimmer without her, we can all do our best to carry a bit of her light into the world by loving others unconditionally, offering generosity and mercy, and greeting every hardship or obstacle with Paula’s signature optimistic outlook. There are no words for how much she will be missed.

She is survived by her husband John, her children Sandy (Joe,) Vigo (Rizzo,) and Seth (Mel,) her older brother Todd, sister-in-law Diane, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and dogs Skooter, Skeeter, and Berly.

CELEBRATION OF PAULA'S LIFE: Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 10:30am, with FAMILY RECEIVING FRIENDS one hour prior to the service, all at St. Thomas Lutheran Church (170 & Q St.).

Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services, 6505 S. 144 St. Omaha, NE 68137 / 402-895-3400