Ruth Anne Christensen

Ruth A. Christensen

1921 ~ 2016

Ruth Anne Christensen passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Tendercare of Leelanau in Suttons Bay on April 18, 2016.

She was born in Chicago on Nov. 19, 1921 the daughter of George and Anna Hill.  Growing up Ruth lived in Chicago and graduated from Jones Commercial High School in Chicago.  She attended Austin Messiah Lutheran Church in Chicago and it was there that she met the love of her life, Norman Christensen.  They were married on march 14, 1942 before he left to fight in WWII.  During Norman’s time in the Army, Ruth worked for Hemmingway’s Real Estate company in Oak Park.  Upon his return, Norman surprised Ruth by planning a move to Norman’s hometown of Suttons Bay, where she had to adapt to her new role of farm wife.

The transition from a city girl surrounded by her family to life on a rural farm wasn’t easy.  Family and friends in Suttons Bay including her mother-in-law and Norm’s relatives helped her learn to farm, can, garden, and milk cows.  They had no indoor plumbing and no phone that first winter.  Norm and Ruth always opened their home to traveling relatives who loved to spend time on the farm.  The farm became a big part of the extended family’s history and they still love to summer in Suttons Bay.

Ruth loved baking, cooking, canning, knitting, crossword puzzles, reading and sweetly doting on her loved ones.  She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay where she loved to sing in the choir and attending bible study.  She worked as a secretary at Belfour Stullen company in Suttons Bay and Traverse City for 10 years and volunteered at the Suttons Bay Public Library.  Ruth and Norman enjoyed many years of square dancing with the Space Steppers square dancing club, where they made many close friends.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Norman Christensen; her son, George David Christensen; son-in-law, William Hendry; her brothers, George and Richard Hill.  She is survived by her children, Steve (Sarah) Christensen and Claudia Hendry; daughter-in-law, LouAnn Christensen; sisters, Shirley Peterson and Georgiana Oberg; eight grandchildren, Dustin Christensen, Ashley Christensen, Danielle Hendry, Brooke (Ben) Hjelle, Ryan Christensen, Amy Christensen, Ryan Rosero and Maritza Gardener; three great-grandchildren, Oliver Christensen, Eleanor Hendry Oller, and Edith Suttons Hendry Oller

A memorial service will take place Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Suttons Bay.  Burial will be at the Lutheran Cemetery, Suttons Bay.  Rev. Kent Lee will officiate.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, PO Box 206, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and/or to Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library, PO Box 340, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

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