Christina Carlson (Richter)
January 11, 1930 – February 14, 2022
Christina Carlson (Richter)
Christina Carlson, 92, formerly of Selz, ND, passed away peacefully in her sleep February 14, 2022, in Billings, MT, surrounded by her three children and family.
Christina was the 9th of 12 children born to Michael and Barbara Richter. She lived a full life spending most of her time in WY, MT, WA, and AZ. She grew up on a farm outside of Selz, ND. She married Leo Thomas on October 4, 1948, and they had 3 children. They farmed by Wellsburg before moving to Upton, WY, where she worked at the Upton Gazette as a typesetter. She married George Falk of Upton, WY, and enjoyed taking care of and riding horses. She fulfilled one of her desires and had her last horse ride the summer before she turned 80.
She worked at the Jones’ truck stop, and it was during this time she developed her love for cooking and held positions at various restaurants as a sous chef over the years. Her most enjoyable employment came as a personal chef on the Taylor Ranch outside of Kirby, MT. She married Dave Carlson, an independent truck driver, and got to see most of the United States as they traveled around the country. After Dave retired, they relocated from Startup, WA, to Yuma, AZ. They purchased a motorhome and continued to travel during the summer months. After Dave passed away, she moved to Billings, MT to be close to her family.
Everywhere she lived, she was loved by all, made friends easily, and could always be counted on to lend a helping hand, especially if it involved cooking. She enjoyed playing pinochle and cribbage with family and friends. A month before she passed, she was still playing cribbage with her grandchildren, and the joke was always that “Grandma cheats”. She was an avid quilter and She collaborated with her sister, Marion, on several quilts which have been gifted to many family members for graduations and weddings. She also made a couple quilts with one of her great-granddaughters. She continued to work on quilts up to the last two months preceding her death.
Christina is survived by her 3 children, Mildred (Brad) Smith of Billings MT, Leon (Charlene) Thomas of Sheridan WY, and Cindy (Dave) Langley of Rozet, WY. She has 5 grandchildren Jeanette (Matt) Uland, Karissa Loucks, Nicole (Bryan) Day, Jesse (Nikole) Langley, Jon (Rebecca) Smith and 10 great grandchildren. Ella Uland, Taylor House, Ian Uland, Cadyn Smith, Keyler Smith, Zackery Loucks, Brooks Day, Blake Day, Henley Smith, Brantley Smith.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael, and Barbara Richter; 5 brothers George, Anton, Maddis, John, and Pius; 6 sisters Catherine Leintz, Ceil Dellaport, Barbara Korleski, Ella Mae Goldade, Marion Bartsch, Eunice Kraft, and one great granddaughter, Rianne Melendez Thomas.
The family would like to express their greatest appreciation to Mildred, Brad, and their family for all the help and care that they provided to Christina since she moved to Billings and in her final days. Christina was truly loved and will be missed by us all.
The family would also like to give a special thank you to Carey from Loving Hands Home Care and Jody from Stillwater Hospice for the care they gave to Christina in her final days.
