We are honored and proud to announce that Ringsted Museum and Archives has received a wonderful donation from a Danish woman who passed away in the USA. Ruth was born in 1923 and died in 2025, she was 101 years old.
Almost two years ago, the museum received a letter from the United States regarding the estate of Ruth Else Christensen, where the Ringsted archive was mentioned in the will.
Now the estate has been settled, and we have received the overwhelming message that the amount is $1.327.500 . Or 8.814.467,25 kroner.
Ruth Else Pryds Andersen (married Christensen) was born in Benløse near Ringsted in 1923. She married Christian Vilhelm Christensen, who was born in Ringsted Landsogn in 1913. The couple later emigrated to the USA.
Ruth was trained as a sales clerk in a women's clothing store, but in the United States she looked after children and later worked as a cashier in a supermarket.
They had no children. Christian Vilhelm Christensen died in 2004 in the USA, but is buried at Ringsted Cemetery. When Ruth died, her coffin was transported to Ringsted, where she is buried with her husband.
Museum director Eskil Vagn Olsen is enthusiastic:
"It almost sounds like a fairy tale about 'the rich aunt from America'. We are extremely grateful and happy for the very nice donation, which will make a significant difference in the development of Ringsted Museum and Archives."
The funds are not earmarked, but must of course be used for projects related to Ringsted.
Contact: Museum Director Eskil Vagn Olsen, 41 37 92 56, evo@vestmuseum.dk
Watch TV2 ØST's feature from October 28, 2026. The feature begins 3 minutes and 45 seconds into the broadcast.
