Charissa Mae Lunderstadt, 37, was born February 27, 1989, in Truckee, California, and raised in Tahoe City by her parents, Gary and Julie Glander. On August 29, 2026, Charissa and her sweet baby went home to be with the Lord.
Charissa was a rare kind of person.
She wanted to be a cowgirl — so she did it. She pursued the education and experience required and made the dream her life. She had a deep love for horses and animals of all kinds and was happiest on a good trail ride or working in the arena. She gave every horse she owned her full measure of compassion and care. She was the kind of cowgirl who showed up in any weather, at any hour, whenever a mount was injured or loose — even once arriving to feed in a windstorm wearing skydiving goggles to keep the hay out of her eyes. She was going to face the wind full force.
She wanted to be involved with her family — so she made it happen. She prioritized holidays and birthdays and made financial and emotional sacrifices to be there for the people she loved. A devoted and self-sacrificing daughter and sister, she made every family gathering a little sunnier simply by being there. She was also an intentional, phenomenally fun aunt. She loved her nieces and nephews as if they were her own and was the kind of aunt who could always be found out on the trampoline, laughing and playing with the kids. She was never too grown-up for them.
She wanted to be a good friend — so she was. She laughed and prayed and mourned and encouraged alongside the people fortunate enough to call her friend. Over the years, she had a way of noticing what her friends needed — even when those needs were small or seemingly silly. She met people where they were and made them feel loved and seen. To be Charissa’s friend was to be more intimately acquainted with kindness, servanthood, and laughter.
She wanted to be a wife — so she waited and prayed, and when the Lord provided that blessing, she chased it down with her whole heart. She married Austin Lunderstadt on May 23, 2025. In Austin’s words, “Life with Charissa was beautiful. She made every moment that we spent together feel special” — from something as big as their wedding day to something as simple as chores around the house. Their marriage was filled with dancing in the kitchen, surprise flowers, watching sunsets together, and plenty of laughter. Their time together in this life was short in the light of eternity, but it was full of love.
She wanted to be a mom — and the Lord, so graciously, answered one of the deepest desires of her heart. Charissa and Austin were expecting their baby in March 2027. She shared the joyful news with a twinkle in her eye and the biggest smile across her face.
That was Charissa. She ardently went after the things the Lord put within her reach, and she faithfully waited on Him for the things that weren’t hers to take.
She loved the Lord and His Word, immersing herself in Bible studies and sweet time with Him. No matter what church community she was part of, she poured into the people around her, often stepping naturally into the role of mentor. Anyone who had the honor of being mentored by Charissa came away loving Jesus more for having spent time with her. She was fiercely loyal, thoughtful, funny, generous, and truly a joy to be around. One of her most beautiful features was the smile lines around her eyes — a quiet testament to how much joy she carried and shared. Charissa loved with her whole heart. She gave, served, encouraged, and blessed without keeping score.
The Lord blessed this earth when He gave Gary and Julie their first daughter. And on August 29, He blessed heaven when Charissa and her sweet baby went home to Him.
Charissa is survived by her beloved husband, Austin Lunderstadt; her parents, Gary and Julie Glander; her siblings, Stefan, Travis, and Alexis Glander; her sister-in-law, Kelli Glander; her nieces and nephews, Jaxon, Judah, Juniper, and Josephine Glander; Austin’s parents, Carl and Kristi Lunderstadt; Austin’s sister, Abigail Danielson, and her husband, Ryan Danielson; and their children, Kenzie and Toby.
A celebration of Charissa’s life will be held Friday, September 11, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Parkside Bible Fellowship in Fallon, Nevada. A potluck reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Charissa’s memory with a donation to one of the ministries she loved and supported: Peak Women’s Care in Truckee or Awaken in Reno.
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