Desdemona Christensen

Desdemona Coe Christensen returned home to her Father in Heaven, loving parents, big brother and countless other family and friends in the Spirit World on Saturday April 13, 2019. Jim, her loyal and loving companion of 65 years, was by her side. Desse was born in Salt Lake City, UT on February 24, 1934. She was orphaned at a young age and was raised by her aunt and uncle Jess and Naomi Grover in Garland, UT. In high school, Desse was popular and often surrounded by admirers. Unexpectedly it was the quiet boy in her science class who ultimately won her heart.

Desse was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jim and Desse were married in the Logan, UT temple on December 28, 1953.  They welcomed six children to earth and raised them with love and taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ. She served three missions with her companion Jim and was beloved by those whom she served. In later years she developed a determined passion for indexing, at last count she had indexed  1,030,321 records. She dearly loved the scripture “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). Desse enjoyed all things cultural and particularly, music, art, and travel. Jim gave her one of her greatest adventures when he moved their family to Tehran, Iran. She also traveled to Russia, India, Sri Lanka, throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. She enjoyed lunch with her cousins, a good Mexican dinner, movies, and chocolate raisins. She loved her family and lived the gospel every day.

She leaves behind her husband James Gary Christensen, children VaLynn (Dan) Rigdon, Teryn (Cortlund) Ashton, James (Debra) Christensen, Sharmyn (Jon) Mitchell, David Colin (Judy) Christensen, Megan (Ryan) Sevy, her dear cousin Joan Peterson, 21 grandchildren, and 33½ great grandchildren.

A viewing at 10:00 am and funeral at 12:00 pm will be held on Friday, April 19, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kaysville 11th Ward, 500 South Main, Kaysville, UT 84037. She will be laid to rest next to her parents in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.