Cheri L. Christensen

Cheri Lorraine Blackwell Christensen

January 6, 1945 – January 11, 2026

Cheri was born to Ernest Blackwell and Mildred Newland Blackwell in Detroit, Michigan. When she was still tiny, they moved to Santa Monica, California, where she was raised. She had some difficult young years following her father’s early death when she was only five years old. Yet, despite the hard work she started at an early age – and she never stopped working hard, her whole life – her personality was forever as sunny as Southern California.

The greatest gifts of her young adult life were her babies, Eric and Diana. While working her tail off and loving them as a single mom, she attended that fateful singles activity – in her white go-go boots, no less – and knocked the socks off her long-awaited soul mate, Kent “Kris” Christensen. They quickly became inseparable, and her babies became his. They married on March 29, 1974, and not long afterward came the family caboose, Amy.

Cheri had an unwavering sense of right and wrong, with an at-times feisty way of standing up for what she felt was just. She was an incredibly intelligent woman; she knew something about everything, it seemed, and she made a significant impact everywhere she worked. Near the end of her long career, she established a successful business, which has flourished in the hands of her friend Bryan and the guidance and hard work of her son Eric.

She was a consummately classy lady – and, though she never would believe it, she was a gorgeous woman, with striking eyes and somehow-effortlessly perfect eyebrows. While she couldn’t always afford to take her family out to shows and events as often as she would have liked, she surrounded us with endless books and appreciation for the arts.

Unquestionably, the pride of her life was her children and grandchildren, for whom she had absolute, unconditional love. Cheri would have done anything for her family (and she did!) – no questions asked, and without ever making you feel like it was a burden or that she didn’t have time. Her family was always her first priority, no matter what.

Everywhere Cheri went, she made friends, and she was exceptionally kind to all. She remembered everyone’s names and details about them, and she always made introductions, so everyone in the room would feel welcome and special.

Cheri had a passion for family history, finding and telling stories about those who came before her. She had unceasing faith in Jesus, and remained a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the time of her conversion at age 16.

She is preceded in death by her sweetheart Kris, her daughter-in-law Connie, and her grandson Stockton. She is survived by her children, Eric, Diana, and Amy (Mike), and her beloved grandchildren, Jordan, Hannah, Taliesin, Dylan, Michael, Travis, and Charlotte.

A special thanks to the incredible people at Riverway Assisted Living, BeeHive Homes of South Jordan, and A Plus Hospice, all of whom lovingly cared for Mom in her final months – we cannot thank each of you enough for your kindness, compassion, and love for our amazing Mom and Grandma.

Until we meet again, Grandma.

Funeral services will be held at 1030 am on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with a viewing from 9:00-10:15 am, at the LDS chapel on 14400 South Redwood Road in Bluffdale. We are grateful for the generosity of the Bluffdale 7th Ward for hosting and conducting. Interment will follow in the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Sandy, Utah.

Funeral services will be streamed and recorded via Zoom. For those wishing to watch the services, please click the “Watch Services” link above.