Ruth Christenson

Ruth was born in Beal City, in central Michigan in 1918. She was raised on a farm and loved her early life there. She graduated from high school, took a business course, and then went to work in Lansing, Michigan. There she met Richard Christenson, who was at Michigan State College. Upon his graduation, they married August 2, 1941 and he was immediately taken into the Army with the telegram arriving during their wedding reception. They went through hard times with Richard training for flight in the Army Air Corps, and Ruth following him to all the bases. Ruth was determined to stay with him during that time, and even carried their baby daughter with her to all his training bases. During World War II, he was a B-17 pilot, went down behind enemy lines, and then escaped from occupied France by climbing the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain. He made a career of the Air Force as an officer, and Ruth was by his side fulfilling all the functions and work required of a military wife. They were stationed in Dayton, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Cheyenne, Wyoming; many times in Florida, and overseas in Tokyo, Japan. After the military, they lived in Florida, and Richard managed a 500 acre orange grove until his death in 1980. Ruth lived in Baltimore, Maryland, near her daughter, twice in her later years. Ruth studied Ikebana Flower Arranging in Japan and reached the level of teacher/professor. She also was a gifted painter and a gourmet cook. Watching football and playing bridge were two of her favorite things. Ruth enjoyed traveling and went to many countries. Her faith was extremely important in her life. She belonged to many PTAS, taught religious education classes, belonged to several Sodalities in numerous places, the Altar and Rosary Society, and a member of Catholic Daughters. When she first moved to Visalia, she volunteered many hours at the former Visalia Community Hospital as a Guild member, and also worked at Sister Ursula’s, now the Bethlehem Center. Ruth was a giving lady, and even in her old age, was still volunteering at Walnut Park Retirement for their Catholic communion service, working in the center’s store, and chairing the sunshine committee. Ruth lived at Walnut Park Retirement Home for 14 years. Then she moved to Prestige Assisted Living in Visalia for a short time and from there, to TLC in Visalia. At both places she was lovingly cared for by their staff and Kaweah Delta Hospice staff. Her positive attitude and happy nature will be deeply missed by all: son Joe Christenson and wife Maryanne of Visalia, CA daughter, Kay Janiszewski of Odenton, MD, five grandchildren Rick, Tim, Marie, Beth and Richard, thirteen great-grandchildren, numerous nieces & nephews, and a rich multitude of friends. Ruth has joyfully joined her husband Richard, who died in 1980, her two brothers: Clarence and William, son-in-law Tony, and brothers and sisters-in-law. A Memorial Service will be held 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Visalia, CA on August 9, 2016. There will be another Memorial Service at Saint Joseph the Worker Church, Beal City, MI with burial at Saint Joseph the Worker Cemetery in Beal City, MI both on August 13, 2016. Contributions in Ruth’s memory may be made to your favorite charity or to Kaweah Delta Hospice in Visalia, CA or to the Building Fund at Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Visalia, CA. Condolences can be made to www.salseranddillard.com

Ruth Christenson

March 22, 1918 - August 1, 2016