Ruby E. Christopher, 97, died July 24, 2006, at Hester Care Center at Wesley Towers.

She was born April 14, 1909, in Minneapolis, the daughter of John Jacob and Mary Lavina Scholtz Allen. She graduated in 1927 from Minneapolis High School and Salt City Business College, Hutchinson. A Hutchinson resident from 1924 to 1972, moving to Sun City, Ariz., and returning to Hutchinson in 1991, she was a homemaker.

She belonged to Belleview Heights Baptist Church, Sun City, Ariz., and was a former member of Community Church of the Brethren, Hutchinson.

On Aug. 11, 1929, she married Thomas H. Christopher in Hutchinson. He died Dec. 1, 1992.

Survivors include: a son, Gary W., Gunnison, Colo.; a daughter, Mary Anne Wright, Hutchinson; grandchildren, Susan and husband, Hans von Finckenstein, Hutchinson, Thomas and wife, Cathy Wright, Fowlerville, Mich., Cynda Wright, Hutchinson, and Martin and wife, Adriane Wright, Shawnee; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Timothy and wife, Tracy, and David von Finckenstein, and Brittney, Austyn and Lauryn Wright; and great-great-grandchildren, Lesly and Kyley von Finckenstein.

She was preceded in death by a brother, William Allen; and two sisters, Edna Windhorst and Estella Becker.

Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis, with the Rev. Bob Smith presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be sent to Hester Care Center at Wesley Towers or to Hospice of Reno County, both in care of the funeral home.

Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com

07/25/2006; 02:33:53 AM