Joanne Mary Thompson Christiansen

Joanne Mary Thompson Christiansen, 86, of West Valley City, Utah, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Saturday morning, January 12, 2019.

Joanne and her twin brother, Gene, were born May 18, 1932 in Ferron, Utah to Clara Elizabeth Nelson Thompson and Willis Thompson. Living through the Great Depression in rural Utah, meant everyone helped pull his or her weight around the farm. Joanne and her siblings fed chickens, collected eggs, plowed and planted wheat and alfalfa, sewed clothes, cooked meals, and whatever else needed to be done. She graduated from South Emery High School and moved to Salt Lake City, where she had various employment opportunities which helped her develop and share her talents.

On December 21, 1951, she married Gail Howard Christiansen in Ogden, Utah. After Dad returned from the U.S. Air Force serving in Japan, they moved to Salt Lake, Pleasant View, Kearns, and finally West Valley City, where they raised their seven children. As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joanne held many callings in the Church and was always looking for ways to serve others.

Joanne is survived by her children: Janice (Lynn) Buchanan, Taylorsville, Reid (Dawn) Christiansen, South Jordan, Sheryl Wixom, Salt Lake City, David (LeAnne) Christiansen, West Jordan, Grant (Leslie) Christiansen, Lehi, Cathleen Johnson, West Valley City, and Jodi (Travis) Norton, West Jordan; sisters-in-law, Connie Thompson, Elaine Christiansen, Phyllis Christiansen and Carol Olsen; 21 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Gail; parents, Willis and Clara; brother Clyde Thompson; sister, Alice Blackwelder; her twin brother Gene Thompson; and her younger brother George Andrew “Skippy” Thompson; one son; and one grandson.

A viewing will be held on Friday, January 18, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S. Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah. The funeral will be held on Saturday, 12:00 noon at the Jordan 6th Ward building, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 3650 West 4400 South, where a viewing will precede services from 11-11:45 a.m. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park, 4400 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah.

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