Tanner Christensen

Tanner Cole Christensen was born on July 24, 2008 in Dillon, Montana, to Chad Christensen and Janean Christensen (McGirr). Tanner was a junior in high school with big dreams and a heart that was pure gold. His unexpected death has ripped our hearts out, and our family is left trying to understand how someone so bright and good could be gone so soon.

Tanner loved sports, especially football and basketball, which he proudly played for the Sheridan Panthers. He carried true Panther pride and set a path for himself through athletics with determination and joy. Tanner was also the kind of kid who managed straight A's without even trying-smart, capable, and full of potential. He dreamed of becoming a lawyer, and truly, he could have been anything he set his mind to. Funeral services for Tanner will take place on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the gymnasium at Sheridan Elementary School, 211 Madison Street, Sheridan, Montana. The family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at the Sheridan Cemetery.

Tanner loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, particularly when he was younger. He was fond of animals and had a special soft spot for them-his favorite animal was a fox, and he loved stuffed foxes, his fur fox hat, and costumes. Tanner loved light. He wanted to love everything.

He leaves behind a huge family who adored him. Tanner loved his family fiercely. He loved his sisters and brother, and he loved his cousins-one of his greatest joys was simply playing with them and making them happy. Tanner was kind, thoughtful, and our family treasure-pure of heart, innocent to perfection, and the tenderest human being we have ever known.

Tanner had a special bond with dogs and loved spending time with them-Bone, and also Riggs, Raven, Blue, and Hunter. He loved teasing his grandpa and would jokingly tell him that Steph Curry was the pits. He loved riding his electric bike-especially after his grandpa gave it to him-and he'd fly through town at 40 miles an hour, the wind in his hair, completely in his element.

After moving to Sheridan, Tanner loved being outside and was known for trying to catch baby deer, always curious, always gentle, always wanting to be close to nature.

One of the stories our family will always smile about is a hunting trip to the Missouri Breaks with his dad and his sister Ashley-where they got stuck and Tanner said they "almost froze and starved"... mostly because Tanner ate all the food. Even in the hardest moments, he could make people laugh, and his big heart always showed through.

Tanner spent time riding his bike through town with his Aunt Paige, and people would stop his grandma on the street just to say something kind about him-how polite he was, how respectful he was, how he was a an old soul. He was also an amazing big brother. Tanner took his little brother to P.M. basketball, taught him how to play, and helped him learn "the arc". Tanner was a sports fanatic who knew all the stats, and he loved his mom's cooking. He also had an appetite that became legendary-he could eat anyone under the table.

Tanner traveled to L.A. with his mom and sister, swam in the ocean, and decided he hated big cities-classic Tanner, honest and sure of himself.

Another favorite memory of Tanner is when he, Katelyn, and Ashley would play poker at home. Tanner didn't know all the hands, and strategy was never his thing, but that never stopped him from flashing that beautiful smile and saying "all in" every time-no matter the cards. You could never tell if he was bluffing or if he just loved saying all in, but somehow he always won. That was our Tanner. He lived the same way-fearlessly, wholeheartedly, and always, always all-in.

Tanner is survived by his parents, Chad Christensen and Janean Christensen (McGirr); his sister Katelyn Soliz, his sister Ashley Christensen (his Irish twin); and his brother Troy Christensen. He is also survived by his grandparents LaDonna Blackwood and Larry McGirr, and Paula Christensen (Merry) and Clark Christensen; his great-grandmothers Betty McGirr and Eleanor Merry; uncles Kevin Bennett and Sean Bennett; uncles Ben Christensen (Katie, Walker), Max Christensen, and Eli Christensen (Tayon); and aunts Paige Christensen and Tara Willoughby (Jason, Kailub, Piper and Kohler). He is also lovingly remembered by his great-aunts and great-uncles, including those from the Merry family, and by the aunts, uncles, and cousins of the McGirr family, as well as the aunts, uncles, and cousins of the Westad and Iverson families, and by the many cousins who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents Fay and Don Westad and his great-grandfather Ralph Donald Merry.

Tanner was loved by all, and our family will never forget him. His heart was gold-he believed in everyone, and he brought light into the lives around him. We will carry him with us always. Soar high.