Blanche Christensen

Blanche Barker Christensen

      ‘MOTHER’

      1919-2014

Our sweet and beloved Mother, Sister, Grandmother and Great Grandmother

passed away peacefully on the evening of January 24, 2014, in her "second home"

with her son and daughter in-law at her side.

 She had lived nearly six years beyond the passing of her Husband whom she had loved so deeply, and whom after a marriage lasting more than sixty-six years she had longed for more than words could express. We will so deeply miss her gentle manner, her kind heart, and her loving ways. A more wonderful Mother there has never been. She was an ongoing source of warmth in the lives of all who knew her, a good neighbor and a special friend. May her journey now bring her peace, may she find those things she held so dear renewed once again, and may her soft and caring heart be troubled no more.

Surviving Blanche are her youngest and only surviving sister Sheryl Ann, daughter Marilyn and son in-law Swede, son Dee and daughter in-law Tami, grandchildren Wendy(Chris), Jenifer(Wade), Brett(Michelle), Heather(Shane), Nichole(Eric), Jennifer, five great-granddaughters, six great-grandsons and many other family members. She was preceded in death by her husband Jay, her Mother and Father, three sisters and two brothers.

Born in the family home in Brigham City, Utah to William Lester and Jennie Malmrose Barker on August 8, 1919 she was the second of six children. Mom attended and graduated Brigham

High, where she enjoyed many social activities, not the least of which being in the band, playing the clarinet. As the daughter of a fruit and berry farmer she was no stranger to hard work and difficulty, and having lived through the great-depression and the tragic loss of her eight year old brother after surgery and another lost not long after birth, she knew grief as well. It was with the passing of Dad in 2008 that she found the true depth of loss and sorrow her life could bring.

Mom married her one and only true love in Brigham City on May 14, 1941, in the family home of her parents. It was to be only a short time later they would part ways for most of four and one-half years while Dad served his time in the U.S. Navy thru all of WWII. Mom spent a great deal of those war years doing her part working in munitions plants in the Ogden area. She was very proud to have helped where she could. Being once again united in 1945 they began their life journey together, living in Layton...building their first home in SLC...having their two children...and later moving to their home in NSL where they raised their family, and their long and happy time together came to its close. She enjoyed her own career as an office manager with J. I. Case, and then later the Utah State Highway Department, finally retiring in 1979. To her great joy she enjoyed over 29 years of her retirement with her soul-mate Jay.  

Having split her final five years between living at her sons home in his care, along with the help of the daughter-in-law she held so dear...and in her own home with her loving daughter at her side, she was able to enjoy this time in both comfort and serenity. She spent much of her time reading and playing games, sitting in the sunshine whenever she could, whether indoors or out. Her best winter days were always those which allowed the afternoon sun to flood her room with light, and to then enjoy the spectacular sunsets so often on display across the valley. A favorite pastime was also simply watching in amazement all that went on in the valleys expanse, never seeming to tire of counting the number of airplanes landing and departing from the airport below.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Monday February, 3, 2014 at the Orchard Stake Center, 3599 S. Orchard Dr, North Salt Lake.  Friends may visit family Saturday, Feb. 1st from 4-6 pm at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N 400 E. and Monday from 10-10:45 am at the church prior to services. Interment Bountiful City Cemetery.

By Moms request ...in lieu of flowers...donations could be made to the American Heart Association. The family wishes to express a very special thanks to Mindy, Tonya, Chris, Dr. Mansfield and the other staff of Gentiva-Hospice, certainly some of the most competent, professional, and truly-compassionate individuals in their field. Also, thank you so much to Moms neighbors, especially the Taylors, Swensons, and Koffords who always went out of their way to help, and to show Mom so much love and kindness throughout the difficult times.