Ruth Celia Lange

She was born, Ruth Celia Espeland, June 15, 1923 to parents, Kitty Solveig & Ragnvald Espeland in Bergen, Norway. Ruth lived a simple modest life with her family and was the eldest of her five siblings. After World War II, Ruth moved to Stockholm, Sweden to work for Scandinavian Airlines and it was there she met her future husband, James Lange. It had always been her dream to travel to the Untied States and in the early 50's she bravely traveled to California.

She loved it there and eventually married James who had preceded her in immigrating to the USA from Sweden. They settled down, originally in Pomona and went on to have a daughter, Terri and son, Roy. In 1963, together with her husband James, they opened Viking Contemporary Furniture, a Scandinavian import business in Huntington Beach. There, they were able to share their mutual love of art & fine furnishings during the 30 years they owned the business. Through hard work and perseverance they lived "The American Dream".

Ruth loved collecting art and was a gifted artist herself. She loved entering OC Fair's Interior Design Competition where she could exhibit her creativity and talents and brought home awards many times. Ruth was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, James; her parents and siblings, Fritchoff, Eva Bjarne and Elizabeth. She is survived by her son, Roy; daughter, Terri Landauer and husband Gregg, her three grandchildren, Kevin, Megan and Brian; along with her sister, Sunniva Gjertsen and her nieces and nephews in Norway.

A memorial service for Ruth will be held at a future date this summer in Huntington Beach. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Vitas Hospice or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Arrangements under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary ~FD1030, Westminster, CA.