Kimberly Ann Ales, age 64, walked into heaven on August 8, 2024, from her home in Richmond, Texas surrounded by her husband and children after a two-year battle with cancer.

Kim, or “Kimmie” as her Dad often called her, was born on July 28, 1960, in Omaha, Nebraska to Charles & Raffaela Christenson. She was the firstborn of four children.

Kim was a visionary who believed anything could be accomplished. She was a strong and brave woman of faith who never shied away from taking a risk on a cause or person she felt was worthwhile. She always believed the best in people and was often generous to a fault. She had a soft spot in her heart for those who were on the margins of life - the outcast, elderly, or lonely - and adopted a total of 12 rescue dogs as a result! Her three greatest loves were her children, grandchildren, and pets.

Kim grew up in Millard, Nebraska. As a young child, she was a self-described tomboy who loved to play outside with her friends. She also treasured spending time with her grandmother Nellie Mancuso.

Kim attended Sandoz and Norris Elementary Schools, Central Junior High where she played the saxophone in the band, and graduated from Millard High School in 1978. Growing up she was a talented softball catcher. In 1976, while living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, she decided to try out for the boy's baseball team. During the try-out, the head coach told her that if she could throw the ball from center field and hit home plate she would make the team. Needless to say, the coach lost his own bet.

After graduating high school she married Cletus Pillen on September 26, 1980, and went to work as a full-time homemaker raising three sons: John, Mark & David. In 1982 she began attending Trinity Church where she developed a deeper understanding of her Christian faith and came to profess Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She also enjoyed volunteering at the local retirement center and worked part-time outside the home as a residential interior designer at a company she started called Vital Residential Resources.

She loved being involved in her sons’ lives and often volunteered in their classrooms. One summer she coached John’s 4th grade baseball team. She also served as the President of the Millard North High School Band Boosters Club during his senior year. While her youngest son David was in high school, she enjoyed hosting a weekly bible study called “The MOB” or “Men of the Bible” for 20 students in her home where she always prepared a large chicken spaghetti dinner.

In 1996 she began life as a single mom and started a company she called Alpha & Omega Design. She took a leap of faith, and despite having no commercial design experience, applied for a job at Cargill, Inc as the lead designer for a food production plant that was being built in Blair, Nebraska. She later admitted that she likely severely underbid the project, but was hired any way and this began a years long stretch of work in commercial interior design.

In the summer of 2001 she sought a fresh start for herself and her sons and moved to Richmond, Texas where she knew no one other than her sister Patti. In Texas, she met and married Michael Ales on July 9, 2008, and gained three more children, Daniel, Devin, and Drew in the process.

In July 2012, two days after her birthday, she became a grandmother for the first time. When Nelliana, her eldest grandchild tried to say “grandma”, the syllables came out a bit jumbled, and from that day forward she was known as “Magga” by all of her 19 grandchildren.

As a grandmother, she always tried to create special memories with her grandchildren. She loved to take them on dates, play silly games, and watch movies with them. One time she even jumped into her pool completely clothed in order make a funny memory! Her hobbies included cooking, cross stitching and collecting cookbooks. She also enjoyed finding ‘treasures’ (aka large pieces of antique furniture) at estate sales.

In April of 2021 she welcomed her father into her home as his own health failed and cared for him until his death a few months later on July 13, 2021.

In July of 2022 she was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. During her cancer care, Kim endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy and brain radiation treatments with awe inspiring strength, courage, and grace. Even in the midst of her own hardships she tried to help those around her who were also in need by giving financially to support them.

Needless to say, Kim was a very special and vibrant woman - a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother who will be deeply missed by all. Not a day will go by when we will not remember her nurturing nature, always positive outlook, radiant smile, and undeniable faith.

Kim was preceded in death by her grandmother Nellie Mancuso, her father Chuck Christenson and her dogs Chloe, Molly, Trapper, Tank, Scooby, Athena, and Zeusy.

She is survived by her husband Mike Ales and former husband Clete Pillen;

Her mother Rae Christenson and her siblings Patricia Gross, Charles Christenson Jr. & Christine Heller;

Her son John and daughter-in-law Vanessa Pillen and their children Nelliana (Nellie), John Joaquin (JJ), Elena (Lanie), Dorothea (Thea), Rosalia (Rosie), & Esperanza (Essie) and dogs Maggie & Cocoa;

Her son Mark Pillen and his life partner Alicia and their dog Tater Tot;

Her son David and daughter-in-law Lauren Pillen and their daughters Lincoln and Dani and dog Ruby;

Her step-son Daniel and daughter-in-law Krista Ales and their children Drake, Ethan, Philip, Grayson, and Opal and their dog Biscuit.

Her step-son Devin and daughter-in-law Katie Ales and their children Skylar, Ziah, Scarlet, McKinley, Katherine, and Joshua and their dog Rusty;

Her step-daughter Drew Ales and son-in-law Oleg Pichugin and their dogs Chico and Keen;

And finally her dogs Buster, Annabelle, Little Joe, Moochie, Toby, Zoonie, and Bear Bear.

A reception celebrating Kim’s life will be held at Faith Westwood United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter or pet rescue organization or consider giving to the Tri-Lake Humane Society (https://www.trilakeshumanesoc…)

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/kim-ales/obituary/

Copy