October 24, 1942 - August 08, 2018
Mary Ruth (Walter) Christensen Obituary (Age 75) Mary was born October 24, 1942 to Edward and Dorothy Walter in Guttenberg, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm, attending school in Guttenberg. She later attended Saint Luke�s Nursing School in Cedar Rapids, graduating as a registered nurse in 1963. She began her career in the emergency room in Portland, Oregon. She met Earl Christensen in 1967, and they married in 1969 whereupon she became an Air Force wife. They transferred to McCord AFB where she joined the emergency room team at Tacoma General. She lived in their log cabin in the woods near Spanaway while Earl spent 18 months in Vietnam. Following his deployment, they transferred to Fairchild AFB. They moved to their retirement home near Spangle, WA in 1976, where Mary raised their son, Jim, and assorted dogs, cats, chickens, geese, guineas, cows, rabbits, etc. They retired from the Air Force in 1979, Earl having served 26 years. Mary�s next chapter in life began when Jim entered first grade at West Liberty School in 1981, when she began a career as a paraeducator. She did many things, but most enjoyed teaching English as a second language to foreign students, working in the library, and managing the annual book fair fundraiser with her friends. Mary retired in 2002. Mary was an accomplished artist, culinary journalist, and nationally credited baker. She enjoyed knitting, piano, cooking, traveling, book collecting, reading, good jazz and classical music, and the Oregon coast. Of all the places she traveled, Peru was her favorite. She was a leader within Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church where she taught, studied, and served on multiple committees. Mary passed away on August 8, 2018 from complications due to Parkinson�s. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Edwin Walter. Mary is survived by her husband, Earl, and son Jim both of Spangle; step-daughter, Kari Wareham of Baily, Colorado; sisters Carol Schuldt of Iowa City, and Dorothy Blume of Portland, Oregon; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many beloved friends. A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, Sept. 8th at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 4320 South Conklin Street, in Spokane. In lieu of flowers or other offerings, please consider donations to Beautiful Savior. � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Mary, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events AUG 8
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