Obituary of Kristine Rigmor Budelman

Kristine Rigmor “Kris” Budelman was born September 26, 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the youngest of three children born to the late Paul Sherlock and Rigmor Gravengaard MacDougal. The family relocated often, eventually settling in Greenwich, Connecticut, where Kris graduated from Greenwich High School in 1965. She went on to attend Vermont College for Women, graduating with her Associates Degree. She married her first husband, Second Lieutenant Philip Benn, in 1967 but he was killed in combat shortly after their marriage while serving in the Vietnam War. 

On August 3, 1969, she married the love of her life, Gerald Allen Budelman, in Greenwich, Connecticut, where they also welcomed their two sons, Timothy and Matthew. After moving to Aloha, Oregon in 1978, they were blessed with a daughter, Jennifer. They remained in Oregon until 1997 when they moved for the final time to Olympia, Washington. Following complex heart surgery and persistent lung problems, Kristine died at home surrounded by her family, on Friday, September 14, 2018.

Kristine spent her life dedicated to her faith, her family and her community. She worked as a homemaker, raising her children and grandchildren with grace, patience and her signature humor. She volunteered in schools, sang in local and community choirs, worked extensively for CareNet Pregnancy Centers, and was active in her church Bible studies. She and Jerry were members of the Olympia Yacht Club for 20 years and spent their summers together exploring the islands of Puget Sound and British Columbia while serving the club and community in various roles.

Kris leaves behind her husband of 49 years; three children, Timothy Budelman of Hillsboro, Oregon, Matthew Budelman of Olympia, and Jennifer Gollihugh of Onalaska, Washington; and eight grandchildren. Her legacy of faith, generosity, and love will be remembered for generations.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Thurston Couny CareNet Pregnancy Center online HERE.