Theo Peterson Christenson

Theo Peterson Christenson passed away peacefully in her home in Farmington, Utah on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Being 100 years old, she left an abundant legacy of love, unselfish service, faith, talent and endurance to her six children: Gloria Olsen (David), Pinehurst, NC; Susan Middlemas (Steven), Sandy, UT; Loraine Redding (Patrick), Logan, UT; Douglas Christenson (Cheryl), Lehi, UT; Carey Christenson (Ellen), American Fork, UT; and Scott Christenson (Ellen) Farmington, UT, along with 37 grand-children, 91 great-grand-children and seven great-great-grand-children. Each one of us felt like her favorite!

 Theo was born on January 20, 1924, in her family home in Centerfield, Utah to John Peter Peterson, Jr. and Dollrus Childs. She was the last of four children: Rex LaGayle, Arda, Molen and Theo. She grew up in a farming community and enjoyed her quiet life there. Thanks to their farm, they never went hungry during the Great Depression.

 Theo said the happiest day of her life was when she married her Gunnison High School sweetheart, Clair Alden Christenson, in the Manti, Utah temple on December 7, 1943, during World War II. 

 During their first two years of marriage, Clair was asked to serve his country in the U.S. Army. A diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy prevented the completion of his training to participate in the infamous “Battle of the Bulge.” He instead was sent to Seattle to work as a mechanic on military airplanes. Because of Clair’s disability, Theo cared for him untiringly and without complaint for 58 years before he died in 2002. After his death, with a little free time from her numerous responsibilities, she was able to travel with her family, taking them on several cruises and seeing things she could never see before. She became an avid reader of novels and served others who needed her help.

 Theo loved to garden, cook, try new recipes, decorate profusely for every holiday, paint furniture, play games with a passion for winning, read her scriptures, take friends and family out to lunch or dinner, send out birthday gifts to friends and family, and attend the temple (and this was all while in her 90’s). On her one-hundredth birthday, she wanted to attend the Bountiful Temple. All six of her children and their spouses were there with her. It was a wonderful birthday for her.

 Theo and Clair raised their children in the Salt Lake City - Rose Park area, later moving to Farmington for her last 45 years.

 Theo was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She never wavered in her testimony of its truthfulness and was true to her covenants. She knew that Jesus Christ loved her, sustained her, and heard her prayers. She served in many organizations in the Stakes and Wards where she lived. She brought her talents, wit, wisdom, and energy to any task she was given.

 Theo will be missed by family and friends on birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day, and other special events she won’t be attending. With her warmth, generosity, and loving positivity, she made each of these days special for others.

 Funeral Services will be held Saturday August 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Somerset Chapel, 1885 Summerwood Drive, Farmington, Utah. Friends may visit with family Friday August 23, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. the Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary 1867 No. Fairfield Road Layton, Utah and Saturday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Following services Theo will be laid to rest in the Farmington City Cemetery next to her sweetheart and on his birthday.

  Theo’s family wishes to thank all the loving caregivers who helped Theo and allowed her to live in her home during her last few months. Her children and grandchildren, CNA’s and nurses cared for her and loved her dearly.

 Some of Theo’s favorite charitable organizations include: the Utah Food Bank, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Primary Children’s Hospital and The Safe Harbor Crisis Center. If you would like to donate to any of these organizations (or others) in lieu of flowers, Theo would love it.

The funeral service will be live-streamed and may be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of Theo's obituary page at www.lindquistmortuary.com.

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