Ruby Josephine “Josie” Jemmett Christensen, 77, of Nauvoo, Illinois passed away early morning Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at her home, surrounded by family.

 

Josie was born on February 28, 1943 in Blackfoot, Idaho the daughter of Henry and Ruby Christopherson (Reeder) Jemmett. On February 28, 1964 she married Cal Christensen. He survives.

 

Josie attended school in Blackfoot, Idaho and graduated from Marsh Valley High School in Arimo, Idaho. In her early marriage, they owned a family farm in Idaho. Years later she worked as an office manager in the family business, but being a loving wife and an excellent mother was her favorite job.

 

Josie enjoyed cooking, quilting, oil painting and restoring furniture, especially old trunks. She began flying at 16 years old and received her pilots license at 18. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo.

 

Survivors include her husband, Cal; four children, Cherie (Scott) McRae of Nauvoo, Ann (Troy) Cox of Nauvoo, Vaun (Becky) Christensen of Utah and Leah (Jano) Mattaeo of Bakersfield, California; fifteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers, Ed, Wanye and Steve Jemmett and four sisters, Rena Cook, Connie Johnson, Martha Tew and Vonda Wilson.

 

Josie was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Brad Christensen; two grandchildren, Ruby and Steven and one sister in infancy.

 

A private family service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Schmitz-Banks and Beals Funeral Home in Nauvoo with Bishop Robert Barlow officiating. Burial will follow in the Nauvoo City Cemetery.

 

To leave a tribute for the family, please visit Josie's obituary at sbbfuneralhome.com.