Ruth L. Christensen

Ruth L. (Longville) Christensen passed away peacefully on May 12th at the Josie Harper Hospice House. She was 90 years young.

Ruth grew up in Omaha, graduated from North HS in 1950, and U.N.O. (then Omaha U.) in 1954 with a B.S. in Education, focusing on Physical Education. She was on the ‘52 and ‘53 Rifle Team, earning medals in marksmanship. She was involved with the ROTC and performed the leads in two musical productions, one of which was Brigadoon that she was very proud to perform.

After college graduation, she moved to Long Island, NY, where she taught P.E., earned her M.S. in education, and volunteered at the National Wheelchair Games. Ruth married the love of her life, A.C. “Bob” Christensen after he was honorably discharged from the US Navy. As Ruth would say, they “courted on the golf course”, playing many rounds of golf together. Ruth and Bob were married for 36 years before Bob passed away in 1996. They had two daughters and cared for many pets at their home in Omaha, and then in Bennington, NE. The family loved to go camping and traveled to many national parks, different states, and Canada.

Ruth ran her father’s real estate company (Longville Real Estate) for many years until her retirement. Ruth was involved in Job’s Daughters (was the queen during her last year), was a lifetime member of Daughters of the Nile, the Owaissa chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Noroma Shrine Club. Music was a very important part of Ruth’s life. She sang in musical productions in college, sang in the United Methodist Church and Dundee Presbyterian Choirs, sang at numerous weddings and funerals, and even sang with a selected group at Carnegie Hall in NYC.

She bowled with the Shriner’s Bowling League, played 2nd base of a mixed softball team with her daughters, was part of a golf league, and threw fabulous holiday parties.

Ruth loved her family, animals, traveling, golfing, Nebraska football, Cardinals baseball, and her good friends. She enjoyed good food, an occasional glass of chardonnay, and was always dressed to the nines! She and Bob traveled to the Scandinavian countries, Australia, New Zealand, and Scotland.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband: Bob; and a son-in-law: Donnie. She is survived by her daughters: Cheryl (Joseph) Martinelli of Harwinton, CT; and Lori Brennan of Lincoln, NE. Ruth was most proud of her grandchildren: Craig Smith, Kyle Smith, Christopher Martinelli and Grace Martinelli. She will be missed by her three great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, wonderful former neighbors, and good friends.

Burial will be private at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, by Roeder Mortuary. A Celebration of Ruth’s Life service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday (6/12/2023) at the Immanuel Courtyard Chapel 6759 Newport Ave. Omaha., NE 68152.

In lieu of flowers, Ruth would like for donations to be made to the Felius Cat Café & Rescue Animal Shelter, 522 S. 24th St. Omaha, NE 68102, (402) 502-7650.

“We are thankful to the Immanuel Courtyard Assisted Living staff for the care they showed to Mom during these last three years of her life. To the Josie Harper Hospice House nurses and staff, we are eternally grateful to you all as you showed the utmost care, respect, and true mindfulness toward Mom in her last 14 days on this earth. Great appreciation to Mom’s friends Becky and Jay Bayne for their continued care and love of our mom during the past four years. Thank you to Roeder Mortuary for your kindness, professionalism, and guidance.”

~ Cheryl & Lori

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Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - 108th Street Chapel
2727 N 108th St - Omaha, NE - 402-496-9000
www.RoederMortuary.com