Ragnhild Beskow

Ragnhild Anna Beskow 93 passed away on May 2, 2013 in Corpus Christi Texas. She is remembered by friends and family around the world as a vivacious and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, cross-country skier, avid gardener and nature lover, superb hostess, and sharp card player. She touched many with her graciousness, warmth and generosity and tales of her extraordinary life. The eldest of 6 children Anna Ragnhild Ingeborg Sandstrom was born in Overammer, Sweden on October 4, 1919, to Signe Evelina (Hjelm) and Hugo Jonas Sandstrom. In 1936 at age 17 Ragnhild left the family farm and moved to Stockholm to work and have many wonderful adventures. After marrying the love of her life on May 5, 1951 Ragnhild and her husband, Hokan Johan Beskow, immigrated to the United States from Sweden in October 1951. Traveling by ship and coming through Ellis Island, at first settling close to Ragnhild's 3 aunts and her many cousins in Chicago, where daughter Christina Louise was born, they then moved to the suburbs where son Robert Hokan was born. For the next 24 years Ragnhild and Hokan raised their family in Park Forest, Illinois where they worked hard and made lifelong friends. They then retired to Santa Rosa, California in 1983 to enjoy the sun, California coast, wine country, strong Swedish community, and the company of very good friends. In 2004, Ragnhild moved to Corpus Christi, Texas to be close to and enjoy the company of her family and subsequent many new friends. In 1990 Ragnhild was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Hokan and then during the next 23 years by her brothers and sisters in Sweden and her cousins here in America. She is survived by her son, Robert of Sugar Land, Texas, his wife, Cecile, and their children Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Katherine; her daughter, Christina Beskow Schwirtlich of Corpus Christi, Texas, her husband, Donnie, and their children Erik, Lauren, Kirsten, Brad and his wife, Jenni, and their children Justin and Evelyn, Amanda Cole and her husband, John, and their children Hayli, Jacob, and Tyler; Ragnhild is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in Sweden and their families; as well as many close relatives and dear friends in America. Ragnhild's happiest moments were among friends entertaining and playing card games, especially bridge; traveling to see family; enjoying her grandchildren perform in concerts and play sports; and dancing with her husband Hokan. Skoal Ragnhild! Please join us for a memorial service celebrating Ragnhild's life on Saturday June 8, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church, 10500 Stonewall Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas; The Rev. Steven K. Arndt officiating. Reception to follow in the Jackson Woods Grace Room.