Deloris Christensen

Deloris Marie Duncan Christensen, loving wife, mother of 6 children, 27 grandchildren, 71 great grandchildren (1 on the way), 5 great-great-grandchildren (1 on the way), passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 3, 2023, at the age of 90.

Born November 6, 1932, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the youngest of 5 children to Noah and Adelaide Duncan. Deloris’ love of music came early in life learning to play the piano, to sing and dance, often performing as a group with her brothers and sisters and continued to take lessons through her high school years. She took business classes in high school learning to type and take shorthand and worked hard as a secretary/receptionist to earn money to purchase a piano after graduating from Granite High School with the Class of 1950.

Deloris met her high school sweetheart, Vern J Christensen, at a school dance and they were married on April 30, 1951, in the Salt Lake Temple. Giving birth to 6 babies in 10 years, Deloris was a busy homemaker and wonderful cook and used her talents to serve her family as well as her neighbors and friends in their time of need. Yummy pies including blackberry, apple, apple raisin (Vern’s favorite) and egg nog (to name a few) as well as homemade rolls, fresh blackberry, raspberry and strawberry jam, canned apples, peaches, pears and tomatoes and of course homemade ice cream were family favorites. Gardening was important to their growing family with fresh fruits and vegetables and plenty of kids to weed and scare away the bugs. Beautiful flower gardens were a must.

As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deloris loved her callings in the Young Women’s organization as Ward and Stake Young Women’s President and her musical callings as Ward and Stake Choir Director. She led the Stake Singing Mothers’ group in patriotic programs and endless concerts and helped direct road show performances. She devoted many years of service as Young Women’s Camp Director and was later called to the Oakcrest Camp Committee leading camp registration and camp store from 1995-1997 serving Oakcrest Girls Camp in Kamas, Utah where more than 300 girls gathered each year over a 9-week period and also acted as Committee photographer documenting the Committee’s many activities. She served in the community as President of the Hillcrest High School PTSA from 1974-1975.

Everyone knew how important photographs were to her. Every family event from birthdays, baby blessings, baptisms, priesthood ordinations, weddings, vacations, holidays, and family gatherings of any kind included a photography session where she had to capture the picture just right.

She was an expert seamstress sewing Sunday dresses for herself and her daughters, matching holiday dresses, school dresses or for any event. You could find her late nights in front of her sewing machine sewing dancing and road show costumes, prom dresses, cheerleading uniforms, bridesmaid dresses, baby blankets, and covers for baby accessories. Her love of sewing extended even to the camper with fresh curtains and seat covers when needed.

Deloris loved the outdoors. Family campouts were the highlight of the summer filled with motorcycle and jeep rides, boating and water skiing. She loved to fish and each time the boat stopped, out came the fishing pole as we all complained that we had to wait for Mom to fish. She loved to be in the sun swimming, skiing and cliff diving and not even broken ribs could stop her. Many summers were spent at Lake Powell or Pine View where she patiently taught each one of her grandchildren to ski.

Later in life, she made Vern promise to take her on several cruises including to Alaska and Hawaii. They also travelled to church history sites and historical sites back east. Musical highlights of her life included playing the pipe organ in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the Kirkland Temple and Jordan River Baptistry. She led a full and active life and was loved by all who knew her. We will miss her and look forward to the day when we meet again.

Survived by children Cathy (Orin) Bagley, Mike (Eileen) Christensen, Caren (Shawn) Crittenden, Cherie Rawson, Charlotte Brunetti. Preceded in death by her husband, Vern J Christensen, son, David J Christensen (Vickie Christensen Gunther), parents, siblings and great granddaughter, Leah McClellan.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the many caregivers who loved and served her during the final years of her life and especially Sela Hall and the entire staff at Legacy House South Jordan – The Cottage and Aspire Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 6770 South 500 East, Midvale, Utah 84047. A viewing will be held at the church on Monday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and on Tuesday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 am prior to the services.

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