Christina Monique Ryd Wallerstedt
January 09, 2011
Birth Day: February 20, 1987
“I Gotcha’ Day”: September 16, 1994
Adoption Day: May 22, 1995
Entrance to Heaven Day: January 9, 2011
Christina Wallerstedt left this life and entered heaven to meet her Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. She died suddenly of a saddle pulmonary embolism. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, January 14 at First Federated Church, with a light lunch to follow. After lunch family and friends will travel to Union Cemetery in Boxholm, Iowa for burial. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, January 13, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines.
Christina was born in Sioux City, Iowa. She fell in love with Eeyore and stuffed frogs at a very early age and enjoyed dressing up as a clown. Her mischievous grin and antics always made people laugh. She enjoyed writing poetry and you can read some of it online at
http://www.poetry.com/user/christina-monique-wa/13276463/
In high school, Christina became somewhat of a “drama queen” by participating in musicals and theatrical productions. She graduated in 2005 from Des Moines Christian School (DMCS) and continued her education at Hannibal-LaGrange College in Missouri, graduating in 2009. She worked at Wells Fargo in the Equity Retention Department.
Her friendly smile, sense of humor and zest for life was infectious, and she will be greatly missed by her family and many good friends.
Christina is survived by her parents, Steve and Sherrie Wallerstedt; her fiancé, Frank Howard; her grandparents, Ken and Pat Wallerstedt, Bud and Shirley Collins; and her biological grandmother, Grace Engelhart; her aunts and uncles, Rex and Karen (Wallerstedt) Voegtlin, Jeff and Karla (Wallerstedt) Taber and Kathy Wallerstedt; and her cousins, Josh Taber, Bethany (Taber) Stillwell, and Sarah, Rachel and Jessah Taber.
Memorial contributions may be made to the “DMCS Scholarship Fund” in loving memory of Christina. Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com. You may leave personal memories of Christina on the Facebook group “In Memory of Christina Wallerstedt”.
Deanna Sellner
01/20/2011
You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your daughter. Information was forwarded to me at work and was a shock. I worked with Steve for several years and remember hearing about Christina joining his family. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers in the coming months.
Deb Crivaro
01/15/2011
In memory of Christina Wallersted, I adopted Flash, one of her many stuffed animals. Thank you Steve and Sherrie for sharing the stuffed treasures Christina collected. You put so much love into her memorial visitation and funeral service. It meant so much to hear all the friends share. It was a wonderful tribute to Christina and Pastor Guthrie was such a good choice to do her service. I so enjoyed all the music Karen Voegtlin played and sang and hearing the family sing "How Great Thou Art". I am praying for Christina's family and friends.
Peter and Edwina Bergen
01/13/2011
Our hearts go out to you, Steve, Sherrie, and all Christina's aunts, uncles and cousins. We are so sorry for your loss of your radiant daughter with her wonderful smile, warmth and personality. Only our loving God can help you
through this painful time of huge loss. Our prayer is for the Holy Spirit to
comfort and take you through the coming weeks and days. If we were not so
far away, we'd be there at the memorial service.
Loving you, Peter and Edwina Bergen
Rick and Sandi Bravine
01/13/2011
Dear Steve,
I was thankful to be able to talk with you today, Steve, knowing that these days are extremely painful for you, Sherrie and for your entire family. Sandi and I are praying for God's peace and presence to comfort you.
Rick and Sandi Bravine
Rhonda Anderson (Danielle Lemon)
01/13/2011
Steve and Sherri, my prayers are with you daily. I can't comprehend the pain you mmust be in. I am so sorry. Its looks like Christina lived her life well and remained the precious, bubbly, beautiful self that I remember so well. Her smile and zest for life will always remain. Bless you guys. Rhonda Anderson
Steve & Linda Revell
01/13/2011
Steve and Sherrie,
We are so very sorry for your loss of Christina. Know that we are praying that our Lord and Savior will heal your broken hearts. If there is anything we can do to help you please let us know. We remember seeing Christina in the halls of DMCS. We will miss her beautiful smile. Love in Christ, Steve and Linda Revell
Kathie Clifton
01/12/2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Christina knew how to brighten a day. She was blessed with a positive,cheerful attitude. At times a person has someone come along that shows great potential. When I first met her when she was training I told her I wanted to make her a lead. She will be greatly missed....
Chuck Underwood
01/12/2011
Dear Steve and Sherrie:
I am overwhelmed with a deep sense of sadness at Christina's untimely passing. She was such a precious sister in Christ. What a blessing to know she is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior, whom she loved. Those of us who were privileged to know her, were so blessed, as we observed her spirituaal growth in Christ, through childhood and innto adulthood. We praise God for your faithful mentoring, as her beloved parents.
I am praying the Lord will surround you and your family with His loving arms. (Psalms 116:15)
In His precious love,
Chuck Underwood
Denise Ryberg
01/12/2011
Dear Steve and Sherrie,
We are deeply sorry to hear of the sudden passing of your daughter, Christina. My heart aches for you two, and our family is lifting yours in our prayers.
I have always enjoyed seeing you at each of Jeff & Karla's kids' graduations. Our love for them as friends flows over unto you, and please know that we will continue as prayer warriors for you as you walk through this valley with the Lord.
Praying His Peace for you,
Denise, for the Rybergs (Steve, Denise, Courtney and Logan)
Georgeanne and Jim Wilson
01/12/2011
As close friends to Rex and Karen (Wallerstedt) Voegtlin, we remember well when Christina became part of the Wallerstedt family. We remember Karen needing to get off to piano lessons for Christina and hearing about her activities from time to time. I know she brought great joy to her family and those around her.
It is never thought to be the 'order' of life when a child dies before their parent. It is such a reverse of what we think life will bring us. Our hope lies in knowing one day we will be united among all the family and body of Christ. This is what sustains us when we must suffer through times like these. It is the promise of eternity that sustains us for our grief is so great as to overcome us otherwise.
Our prayers are with you all in your time of great loss.
Georgeanne and Jim Wilson
John and Jennifer Nelson
01/12/2011
Steve and Sherrie, Bruce Grimm sent John an email about the sudden death of your daughter. We are so sorry to hear of her death. I remember meeting her at a parade in Beaverdale just before you adopted her and and she was such a pleasant girl. We are thinking of you and praying for you.
Nicole Nau
01/12/2011
I thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this emotional time. Christina, knew just how to make your work day go by, with her charm and sense of humor. She will be greatly missed.
Angie Yaeger
01/12/2011
Sherrie and family,
Sherrie, even though we do not know each other very well from working at TransTech, my heart goes out to you, your family, and friends of your daughter. She sounds like she must have been a wonderful person and a joy to you. I will be thinking of you.
Sincerely,
Angie Yaeger
Angie Lauer
01/12/2011
Steve & Sherrie,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you on the loss of your daughter.
Joe & Angie Lauer
Judy Lundy
01/11/2011
Dear Steve, Sherri and family,
My sincere sympathy in the death of Christina; God made a very special person and she is now at home with Him, again.
Most Sincerely,
Judy Lundy