Thelma Christiansen Strand

Our sweet mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, slipped peacefully into the next life after a 20 year long battle with Alzheimer''s.

Thelma was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 11, 1915 to Edwin Julius Kristiansen and Anna Marie Paulsen. She was the only daughter and grew up surrounded by her eight brothers, whom she adored and loved taking care of. She used to make us laugh by reminding us just how much ironing she had to do with that many brothers. She was also very close to her Norwegian grandma (Bestamor) and spoke of her often.

Thelma''s parents emigrated from Norway and they worked hard to build a life in America. They taught themselves English and provided a nice life for their children. They always kept a strong hold on their Norwegian roots and Thelma grew up immersed in the language, food, and traditions of Norway which she always shared with her children and grandchildren. She made us all laugh with her song about lutefisk (salted, boiled fish) and whiskey and delighted us with her Norwegian prayers.

She graduated from South High School. During World War II she enjoyed working at the Small Arms Plant while supporting the war. She also enjoyed working at the Hotel Utah, and later at the Liquor Control Commission.

She met and married her sweetheart Herbert Edwin Strand on April 11, 1957 in England. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were married for over fifty years and shared a love of a lifetime. They enjoyed many travels and adventures together.

Thelma had two children who were the most amazing gift to her after so many years of not being able to have children. She treasured them always and always felt so blessed to have been their mother. Even in her later years when you would ask her about her children she would get all choked up talking about them.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many different callings over the years. Thelma enjoyed music and square dancing, traveling, flowers, movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Thelma will be best remembered for her fun loving spunk, always smelling of roses, her pink painted finger-nails, her fresh raspberries with sugar, serving the grandkids flatbread with butter, her kindness to all she met, her krumkake desserts, her love of "Murder She Wrote," but most of all her devotion to her family and friends. She was amazing at making everyone around her feel comfortable, welcome, and loved.

Thelma will be greatly missed on earth by her family. She had so much joy, laughter, and kindness to share that she will always be remembered for. Although she will be missed, we celebrate with her the reunion she''s having with her husband and family on the other side.

Thelma is survived by her children Roger (Claire), and Karla (Korey), 12 grandchildren, and many, many great-grandchildren.

Thelma is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and all of her brothers.

The family wishes to thank the many loving people who cared for Thelma over the years. A special thanks to the wonderful staff of Chancellor Gardens in Layton and most especially their Sara''s Garden Alzheimer''s unit staff where Thelma thought she was the president of the Sara''s Garden Club from the moment she moved in.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 11, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends may visit family Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist''s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.