Obe, Ruth Elizabeth Christenson (1914-2003)

OBE, CHRISTENSON, MIDDLETON, GUSTAFSON, LEACH

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 11/17/2022 at 15:02:24

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Ruth Elizabeth Obe, 88, Burlington, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003 at Great River Medical Center, West Burlington. She had been a resident of the Burlington Care Center for 19 years. A private family burial is planned for Graceland Cemetery in Webster City. There will be no visitation. The family requests no flowers and a memorial fund has been established for the Burlington Public Library. Lunning Funeral Chapel in Burlington was in charge of arrangements.

Born Oct. 14, 1914 in Otho, Iowa, she was the daughter of David and Jennie Christenson. On Sept. 29, 1934 she married Bruce Middleton. They resided in Eagle Grove for many years. In 1964, she married Richard Obe and they lived in Webster City.

Mrs. Obe graduated from Renwick High School in 1932. She attended Eagle Grove Junior College and Iowa State Teachers College. She was an accomplished cellist, pianist and vocalist. While in college, she sang the female lead in the "Pirates of Penzance" and "La Boehme." She was later chosen as a featured female vocalist with the Fort Dodge Men's Chorus. She also played cello in the Fort Dodge production of the "Messiah." She was of the Christian faith.

She taught piano and vocal lessons in Eagle Grove and Webster City for many years. She was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Eagle Grove. She also loved bowling and was an avid reader.

Survivors include one daughter, Jane Gustafson of Burlington; three grandchildren, Bruce Gustafson of Fort Madison, Paul Gustafson of Lexington, Mo.; and Ann Gustafson Leach and her husband Jim of Andrews, Texas, two great-grandchildren, Jane Elizabeth Leach and Brett James Leach, both of Andrews, Texas.