Gramer Funeral Home

But that didn't dampen her fun-loving, boisterous spirit.(Photo: Family photo)Nichole Lynn Gradinscak-Christensen's work analyzing crime scenes put her face-to-face with some unpleasant situations.But that didn't dampen her fun-loving, boisterous spirit. When she battled breast and brain cancer, she shaved her hair into a Mohawk.Ms. Gradinscak-Christensen died Christmas Eve at home in Waterford Township surrounded by family. She was 41.Known to friends as Nikki, Ms. Gradinscak-Christensen joined the Oakland County Sheriff's Office in 2000. She worked in the county jail as a corrections deputy before being assigned to the crime lab.Related stories:DETROIT FREE PRESSFred Maloof, St. Clair Shores jeweler and philanthropist, diesDETROIT FREE PRESSSylvia Rector, longtime Free Press restaurant critic, dies at age 66Ms. Gradinscak-Christensen received several accolades for her work as a latent fingerprint examiner. She was a key witness in the high-profile trial of a man who was convicted of fatally shooting an Oak Park police officer."She was always very, very passionate about her job," her husband, Bill Christensen, said.Ms. Gradinscak-Christensen was born in Farmington Hills. She attended Madonna University and the police academy at Oakland Community College, according to her family.She met her husband through her job; they both worked for the Sheriff's Office. They married Aug. 29, 2009.Ms. Gradinscak-Christensen had a biting sense of humor and was often the life of the party. She preferred wearing T-shirts and jeans, her family said, and turned into a real stunner when she dressed up.Ms. Gradinscak-Christensen was highly organized and collected purses and turtle knickknacks. She loved seeing turtles in the wild.One of her favorite phrases was, "This is me. Take it or leave it."She battled her illness with bravery and courage, family members said. She dressed up as G.I. Jane one Halloween after her hair had fallen out."From the word go, she spit in the face of it, right to the bitter end," Bill Christensen said.Gradinscak-...