Frances Ruth West

Frances Ruth West, age 90, passed away Saturday, January 28th at Hoosier Christian Village in Brownstown. Born November 30, 1921 in Henry, South Dakota, she was the daughter of the late Chris and Helen (Bauman) Christensen. Frances graduated from Henry High School in 1939 as Valedictorian and studied two years at General Beadle State College in Brookings, S.D. After college she took her civil service exam and traveled alone by train to Washington, D.C. where she obtained a job at the Pentagon during World War II. During the time she was in Washington, D.C. she met her future husband Eugene West. Frances and Eugene were married in March of 1943. With Eugene in the service they traveled with his military assignments until they settled in Indianapolis in 1945. Frances worked at Eli Lilly until she had children at which time she became a homemaker. She lived in Indianapolis until 1965 when the family moved to Columbus, Indiana. While in Columbus, Frances worked at Vernco until her retirement in 1982. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Columbus. Frances loved gardening, quilting, painting and cooking and was an accomplished artist and seamstress. She loved her many animals and particularly enjoyed the time she spent with her only grandchild. Survivors include a daughter, Nancy (Ron) Lambring of Brownstown and a son, John (Carol) West of Columbus. Frances had one grandchild, Stephanie Lambring of Nashville, Tennessee. Also surviving are three brothers, Raymond Christensen of Watertown, S.D., Edward Christensen of Apple Creek, OH and Clifford Christensen of Glendora, CA. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a sister, Helen Christensen. The family will have graveside services Tuesday, Feb 7th at 10:30am at Graceland Cemetery in Henry, S.D. In memory of Frances, memorials can be to Lutheran Central School, Hoosier Christian Village, Alzheimer's Association or the American Heart Association through Woodlawn Family Funeral Center, 612 Meadowbrook Dr., Seymour, Indiana 47274. For online condolences, visit www.WoodlawnFamilyFuneral.com