Chris grew up in Omaha, Nebraska alongside her three brothers – Steven, Richard and John. She graduated from Omaha Westside High School and went on to attend The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. There she received her bachelor’s degree in integrated studies. Next, she went on to attend The University of Michigan and earned her master’s degree in public health. While studying, she began her work in grant-writing in the healthcare setting which she continued for several years.
Chris met Miguel Carranza in the early 1970s and they married in 1981. They lived in Lincoln and raised their family with two children – Alicia and Antonio. Over the years, they also spent time living in Tempe, AZ and later Kansas City, MO. Chris was a dedicated mother, supportive spouse and the most avid reader you could ever encounter. She was an expert at word games and crosswords. She was passionate about women’s rights, involved in advocacy and cared deeply about voting – she worked as a pollster for many years. She was kind, smart, witty and full of love. One of her biggest joys was being a grandmother and her grandkids loved their abuela deeply. She will be greatly missed by many.
Chris was preceded in death by her parents Arlyn and Marilyn Thiesfeld, her sister-in-law Debra Heinson Thiesfeld and her nephew Colin Thiesfeld.
She is survived by her husband Miguel Carranza, her daughter Alicia Carranza, her husband Ari Foote and their two daughters Isabel and Lucy (Denver, CO), and her son Antonio Carranza, his wife Nina Carranza and their son Mateo (Lincoln, NE). She is also survived by her brothers Steve (Dallas, TX), Rich (Virginia Beach, VA), John (Chicago, IL) and their families and her cousin Angela Olson (Lincoln, NE).
A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, June 9, 2024 – please email celebrationforCTC@gmail.com to obtain details, send remembrances or for memorial donation information.