Kristi Marie Wold died peacefully on the morning of December 22, 2024, at home in The Woodlands, Texas, surrounded by her family.

Kristi was born on October 10, 1958, the fourth child and first daughter to Beverly (Dybvig) and Allan Wold. She spent her childhood in Rochester, Minnesota where she loved playing in her backyard playhouse, visiting with cousins, singing in church choir, and rooting for her dad's basketball team.

From a young age, Kristi knew she wanted to be a teacher. She attended Luther College and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Her time at Luther was defined by choir rehearsals, perfectionism and procrastination, lifelong friendships, and dinners that lasted so long that they ended with a second meal of saltines with butter.

She began her teaching career in Mankato, Minnesota before moving overseas to teach at the American School of Stavanger, and later the Singapore International School. While living in Stavanger, she met her husband of 34 years, Jean, in Norwegian class. She loved her work in the classroom and even after she stopped teaching, she always gave her time and creativity to volunteer at her kids' schools.

Kristi was a wonderful mother, daughter, wife, sister, and friend. Her relationships meant the world to her. She was an exceptional conversationalist and always had time to listen, asking questions with curiosity and earnestness. She was unconditionally compassionate and supportive to all. She had a quick wit and could find humor out of the smallest observations. She built deep friendships everywhere she went and had an ever-growing list of people to call and catch up with.

Like her mother, Kristi was deeply moved by beautiful music and nature. As a young married couple, she and Jean decided to buy a grand piano instead of a second car, and she spent countless hours over the years filling her family home with music. She found great joy in long walks in nature and had a keen eye for autumn leaves, which she collected and pressed for the Thanksgiving table. Her best walking companion was her loyal golden retriever, Leo, though he trailed a few steps behind.

Kristi was an excellent cook and brought people together around beautiful meals. Her handwritten recipe cards require an intuitive knowledge of cooking, as she rarely needed detailed instructions. She savored nightly family dinners (always with candles) and daily coffee times on the front porch. Kristi loved hosting friends and family. This was never truer than during her years in Paris when Kristi and the family hosted guests more than 200 days per year.

Kristi's passing leaves a tremendous void in the lives of those who loved her, a testament to the love she poured into all her relationships. She is survived by her husband, Jean De Ridder, her three children Thomas, Audrey, and Julia, her sister Karin and her children Ella, Max, and Chloe, her brother Daniel (Kyja Thorsgard) and his children Nathan and Erin, her brother Kraig, and her mother-in-law, Georgette, as well as a uniquely close extended family. She is preceded in death by her parents Beverly and Allan, and her brother Mikkel.

The family expresses gratitude for the love and support of so many after Kristi's diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in July. Up until the very end, nothing made Kristi happier than having the house filled with family and friends visiting from near and far.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in The Woodlands, Texas with a visitation at 1 p.m. and a reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Luther College, Kristi's ​​alma mater, or The CJD Foundation, which funds research for prion disease. Please make a note that the donation is intended for research. For those unable to attend in person, the memorial will be streamed online at https://lolonline.org/funerals/ .

Kristi was the epitome of acceptance, unconditional love, and support. She will live on in our hearts forever.