Obituary: Ruth Joan (Christianson) Marlett - Class of 1948

BEND, ORE. - Ruth Joan (Christianson) Marlett, age 76, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, at the Summit Assisted Living Facility in Bend. Joan was born May 31, 1930, in Madison, the daughter of Carl and Ruth (Robinson) Christianson and spent her school years in Madison, graduating from Madison Central High School in 1948. She married Paul Lee Marlett of Aberdeen, S.D. on Nov. 22, 1950. Joan and Paul lived in Madison and Middleton. Joan also lived in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Fincastle, Va. and Bloomington, Ind., before moving to Bend. Joan was an accomplished artist, having shown her art work in many fairs, exhibitions and public buildings. Her art is treasured in many homes across the country. She was an interior decorator and renovated several homes in Wisconsin and Virginia, and for many years, owned and operated a successful antique business in historic Fincastle, Va. Joan was preceded in death by her husband in 1972 and is survived by her four children, Kathryn of Bloomington, Ind., Deborah of Chicago, Ill., William (Bill) of Bend, Ore. and Kelly of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren, Emma Sorury-Hughes, Angela Sorury, Elizabeth Braun, Kelly Gene Johnson-Marlett, Edan Marlett, Jordan Marlett, Elon Marlett, Kelly Jordan Marlett and Allyah Marlett; and great-grandchildren, Destinee Marlett, Yariah Hudson-Marlett, Jacari Marlett and Ladraye Hudson-Marlett. Burial will be at Sunset Memory Gardens in Madison. A family service will be held at a later date.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 7, 2007