Barbara Colleen Sorensen Christensen, age 86, passed away Monday, August 22, 2016 at her home in Delta. She was born on June 7, 1930, the first child of Ivan “Ike” and Tanetta Johansen Sorensen, in Salt Lake City. She grew up on a farm in Sutherland, and spent a lot of time with her grandparents. She graduated from Delta High School in 1948. Married her sweetheart, L. Derral Christensen, on June 8, 1948 in the Manti LDS Temple. They moved a hospital building from the Topaz Internment Camp to Sutherland; and her skilled hand, with a few additions and remodels over the years, turned it into an elegant home to raise her family in.
Barbara was a constant support to her husband, helping in his farming and ranching, preparing meals for the farm hands, keeping the business books and records, and raising her six cherished children. She dedicated her life to her family and friends. She was a generous supporter of the Festival of Trees program. She was a faithful member of the LDS Church, serving in the Primary, Young Womens, and Relief Society. She loved to knit, crochet, needlepoint and read. We will remember her as a classy woman who was always fashionably put together.
Barbara’s greatest joy was spending time with her family. She was terrified of water and never learned to swim, yet loved to water ski and taught many of her friends and all of her children. She loved boating on the reservoir and Lake Powell, and the Swain’s Creek Pines development in Kane County became her second home. She was adventurous. She traveled the world. She earned her Pilot’s License, and made aviation a big part of the Christensens’ lives. She had a generous heart, never failing to acknowledge a birthday or go all out on the Holidays. One of her life’s highlights was sending her children and grandchildren and their families on a Disney Cruise together.
Barbara is survived by children: Keith S (Kristina) Christensen, Salt Lake; Michael D ( Chris) Christensen, Delta; Joyce (Mike) Barney, Delta; Ann (Neil) Dutson, Las Vegas, NV; 25 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren; son-in-law: Mark Jacobs. She was preceded in death by husband: Derral, in 2002; daughter: Susan Jacobs; son: Tom Christensen; grandson: Casey Dutson; great-granddaughter: Samantha Lavoi; sisters: Elaine (Bryan) Renstrom, Joan (Audy) Harrison.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 27, at 11:00 am, at the Sutherland LDS Chapel, 2650 North 3000 West. Viewings will be held Friday, 6:30-8:00 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary; and Saturday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Burial will be in the Delta Cemetery.
Special thanks to Dr. Shamo, his nursing staff and Delta Hospital; and especially to all her wonderful caregivers for their many years of service.