Chris (Russ) was born to Chris Christensen and Ann (Trapp) Christensen on August 4, 1930 on the ranch on the Cheyenne River Road in Niobrara County. He lived on the ranch all his life except for the two years he served in the Army. Ruth was born to Nathanial Orr McGurk and Louise (Dinkle) McGurk on November 9, 1924, in Paterson, New Jersey where she lived until she went to nursing school and then into the Army.
Russ attended seven-mile school through the tenth grade. His junior and senior year he went to school in Newcastle and graduated in 1947. He was active in football, basketball, choir, boxing, and yearbook. Russ also attended the University of Wyoming for one year.
Ruth grew up in New Jersey. She attended Catholic school through high school. After high school Ruth attended nursing school obtaining her RN in 1946: this allowed her to go into the Army as a Lieutenant.
Russ and Ruth met while they were serving in the Army and were married September 5, 1953, in New Jersey. After they were both discharged from the Army, they moved back to the ranch and raised three sons: Chris Michael, Thomas Joseph, and William (Bill) Russell Christensen.
Ruth worked as a nurse at the Newcastle Clinic and Edgemont Hospital for several years. Russ worked on the ranch raising sheep and cattle. They both drove school bus. They enjoyed going to Spencer Hall dancing, playing cards with friends and neighbors, and family get togethers. They enjoyed hunting season so they could visit with the hunters (which became like family to them). Russ and Ruth enjoyed life together for 60 years.
After Ruth passed in 2014, Russ continued ranching. He enjoyed playing poker, traveling to Michigan and Wisconsin. He was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2021. Russ was also presented with a plaque by Glenn Zerbst commemorating him being the Oldest Cowboy on the Cheyenne River in 2024.
Russ and Ruth are survived by their sons Tom (Deb) Christensen and Bill (Betty) Christensen as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Russ and Ruth are preceded in death by their parents, son Chris, brother Fred (Jess) Christensen, sister Jean (Bob) Freeman, Doris (Walt) Lovenduski and nieces and nephew.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Weston County Humane Society.