Former Kennard resident Ruth M. Christensen, 84, lost her battle with cancer on Sunday, Nov 8, 2009.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Kennard. Interment will be at Prairie View Cemetery.

Ruth Marian Nielsen was born May 31, 1925, on the family farm in rural Kennard to Miller and Mary Nielsen. She would ultimately raise a family on that same farm, spending more than 70 years of her life there.

She attended Rispin grade school, and Washington and Bennington High Schools, as well as Omaha Business College.

She married Neils Christensen on May 8, 1946 -- the 30th wedding anniversaries for both of their parents.

She was a member of Emmaus Lutheran Church for almost 60 years. She was also a member of the Washington County Extension Club, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Eagles Club in Blair. She loved bowling, baking, playing a mean game of pitch, and crafts.

She is survived by her daughters and a son-in-law, Claudia Martin and partner Mark Butler of Omaha, Connie Sheets and partner Terry Johnson, and Pam and Kevin Hindley, all of Blair; three sons, Larry of Blair, Dan of Omaha, and Mark, who lives on the family farm in Kennard; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Neils; a sister, Irene Maher; and daughter-in-law, Maggie Christensen.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.