Ruth L. Christenson age 58 of Alexandria died on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at her home. A Memorial Service will be held 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Inurnment will be at Kinkead Cemetery followed by a gathering for family and friends at Ruth's Home.In lieu of flowers, Ruth requested donations to the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, to be designated for Camp Mak-A-Dream scholarships. Address is: 4604 Chicago Ave; Minneapolis, MN 55407
Ruth Leslie Christenson was born in Olivia, Minnesota on July 31, 1956, the third child of Llewellyn "Bud" Christenson and Thelma (Hausken) Christenson. She was baptized in the Lutheran church at Hector, Minnesota and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. She graduated from Jefferson Senior High School in 1974. After attending Concordia College for two years, she transferred to Moorhead State and received a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1979. Ruth taught elementary physical education in Thousand Oaks, California. She earned a computer programming degree from Alexandria technical school and worked for Midwest Data company in Willmar for 26 years, beginning as a computer programmer, and later as manager of product development and integration. She worked full time for Home Depot for almost a year until chemotherapy for her cancer made it impossible for her to continue. She then returned to live in Alexandria and joined Calvary Lutheran Church where she had attended services for many years with her parents.
Ruth was an active person who played sports in high school, on college teams, and on recreational teams as an adult. She played softball, basketball, volleyball, and field hockey. Ruth was all conference in college field hockey. She loved weight lifting. In 2014 she and her teammates were invited back to Moorhead state and were honored as trailblazers for women's collegiate sports. She honored her mother and others by completing the three day 60 mile Susan G Komen walk for breast cancer. She enjoyed the outdoors, walking with her two dogs, Nido and Pupen on the trails near her home.
After her cancer was diagnosed, Ruth attended conferences sponsored by FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), an organization for women with genetic mutations that increase the risk of ovarian and breast cancer. She also participated in The Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, completing three years of walks for fundraising, and receiving a fundraising award for her efforts. Ruth attended Camp Mak-A-Dream in Montana in 2013 with other women from around the nation who were suffering from ovarian cancer. In 2014 she was one of three chosen as an Honorary Survivor by the Douglas County Relay for Life.
Ruth was a quiet person who thought before she spoke and whose words were kind. She was practical, steadfast, loyal, sensitive, forgiving, and compassionate. She suffered without complaint. She was strong, physically, mentally, and spiritually. She reached out to people in her quiet way and made and nurtured friendships wherever she went. Ruth cherished the support of her friends from Camp Mak-A-Dream, some of whom preceded her in death. She was close to everyone in her family - a loving sister, niece, cousin, aunt, and great aunt.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents and grandparents, two uncles, two aunts, and two cousins. She is survived by her siblings and their spouses, Janet (John) Rahm, Steven (Sally) Christenson, and Peter Christenson; her nephews John (Kelsi) Rahm and Peter Christenson, and two great nieces, Freya and Solveig Rahm. She also precedes into eternal life her godparents, Dodie and Herm Talle, and other dear aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, including her long time friend and companion Kathryn Porter.
Celebrate life and rejoice that Ruth is with The Lord.
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