As received from the Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Christine (Nils) Ruonavaara,74, a resident of Onnela, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026, at her home, following a lengthy illness. She was born on November 2, 1951, in Hancock, a daughter of the late Alvin and Verna (Riutta) Johnson. Christine was raised in Houghton and was a graduate of the Houghton High School with the class of 1969.
Following high school, Christine worked as a Legal Secretary for Vairo, Mechlin & Leblin Law Offices.
On January 15, 1972, she was united in marriage to Nils Ruonavaara. The couple had resided on Green Acres Rd. in Houghton before moving to make their home on Onnela for the past 35 years. Mrs. Ruonavaara was a member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church of Hancock.
Preceding her in death were her parents, sister-in-law, Sally Johnson and brother-in-law, Paul Jukkala
Surviving are: Her husband: Nils Ruonavaara of Onnela; Her children: Jessica (Steve) Muonio of Atlantic Mine, Jeffrey (Kara) Ruonavaara of Atlantic Mine, Kurt (Krista) Ruonavaara of Kalispell, MT, Chuck (Erin) Ruonavaara of Toivola, Justin (Joni) Ruonavaara of Houghton, Lars (Sonja) Ruonavaara of Hancock, Rosalie (Jamie) Hammerstrom of Atlantic Mine, Lowell (Sarah) Ruonavaara of Toivola, Brent (Bethany) Ruonavaara of Painesdale, Quinn (Nicolyn) Ruonavaara of Moorcroft, WY, Dane (Victoria) Ruonavaara of Toivola, Benjamin (Lia) Ruonavaara of Tri Mountain, & Candace (Les) Erickson of Pelkie; Numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Her siblings: Gary Johnson of Eau Claire, WI, Sharon Jukkala of Houghton, Judy Johnson of Houghton, Sandra (Frank) Beauchamp of Dodgeville, Gail (Martin) Raffaelli of Dodgeville, Carolyn (Joseph) Arens of Atlantic Mine, & Mary (Karry) Datto of Atlantic Mine; Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service for Christine will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church of Hancock with Ronald Jouppe to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Oskar Cemetery.
Friends may call on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 6 to 8:00 pm at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church of Hancock and on Wednesday from 10 am until time of services at the church.
To view Christine’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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