Ruby Lorraine Christiansen
September 20, 1933 – August 27, 2024

Ruby Lorraine Christiansen, known to most as Lorraine, was born on September 20, 1933 to the late Sam and Edna (Jensen) Smith on a farm in Shelby County, Iowa. Lorraine’s life was marked by her deep faith and commitment to her beliefs. She was baptized on November 18, 1934, and later confirmed on June 8, 1952.

She graduated from Irwin High School in 1951 and on December 26, 1951 was united in marriage to Norman E. Christiansen at the Methodist Church in Irwin, IA. To this union, five children were born: Mark, Roger, Gary, Craig and Ruth. Norman was in the U.S. Air Force and most of that time the couple was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, NE. After Norman’s honorable discharge in 1955, the couple moved to a farm in Crawford County before moving to Norman’s home place in 1963. In 1979 they moved to Charter Oak and then to Denison in 1993.

To know Lorraine was to love her. Lorraine was not only a treasured friend but also a great role model, exemplifying kindness and resilience throughout her life.

A cherished member of St John’s Lutheran Church, Zion Lutheran Church, and Our Savior Lutheran Church, Lorraine dedicated her life to nurturing the spiritual growth of others. Her active engagement in the church community was evidenced through her roles as a Sunday School teacher, where she imparted wisdom and love to young minds. Lorraine’s contributions to the church extended beyond the classroom; she was a proud member of the LWML, Choir, and the “Craft Time” group, fostering unity and creativity among her peers.

Lorraine enjoyed traveling with Norman to numerous places including: The Holy Land, Denmark, Germany, Alaska, California, and Colorado to name a few and spent many winters in Arizona enjoying the warmer weather and family that lived there.

Lorraine was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family. She also enjoyed sewing, playing cards and sports (especially the Cubs). She always said how very blessed she was.

Lorraine passed away on August 27, 2024 at Nebraska Heart Hospital in Lincoln, NE having attained the age of 90 years, 11 months, and seven days. In addition to her parents, Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband Norman Christiansen, son Roger in infancy, brother Darwin in infancy, and sister-in-law Jeanette Smith. She is survived by her son Mark (Cindy) of Billings, MT and their children Neil & Drew, son Gary (Karen) of Denison IA and their children Brenda & Jill, son Craig (Audrey) of Scottsdale, AZ and Audrey’s children Ricardo & Alysia, daughter Ruth (Brad) Peppers of Castle Rock, CO and their children Tara & Trisha, 19 great grandchildren, brother Duane (Dorothy) Smith of Nixa, MO, brother Dale Smith of Sterling, CO, brother-in-law Franklin Christiansen of Arvada, CO and many relatives and friends.

Funeral Services were held 10:30 AM Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa. Rev. Chad Trunkhill officiated the service with interment in Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison. Mary Kuhlmann provided accompaniment for congregational hymns “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “In the Garden,” “How Great Thou Art” and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and for soloist Rylee Gehlsen singing “Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone.” Serving as pallbearers were Neil Christiansen, Drew Christiansen, Dan Smith, Carson Bradley, Dan Price and Nick Gifford. Following burial, the family invited everyone to return to the church for a time of fellowship and lunch. Services were entrusted to the Huebner Funeral Home.

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