April 17, 1936-Aug. 20, 2022
Marilyn Smith Christensen, age 86, peacefully passed away on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. Marilyn was born on April 17, 1936, in Fountain Green, Sanpete, Utah, to Barton Henry Smith and Virginia Hardy.
Marilyn grew up in Henrieville, Utah, with her identical twin Carolyn. Of the nine children, Carolyn came sixth and Marilyn was seventh. She attended Utah State College and Brigham Young University.
Marilyn married William K. Christensen in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, March 7, 1958, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has lived in Ravenna, Ohio, Merced and Modesto, California, and Sandy and St. George, Utah. Marilyn was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in several callings including Ward and Stake Chorister, Relief Society President and served a local mission in the Family History Center in St. George. She enjoyed a career working with her husband, Bill “Doc” Christensen, in his offices in Ravenna and Modesto, as office manager.
She had several hobbies: music, including being a member of Sweet Adeline’s, sewing and quilting (making quilts for all of her grandkids). Marilyn was also a speaker who went on tour with Barbara Barrington Jones, “A Confident You.”
To help with the music in church, she learned to play the organ, loved to read and joined a literature club. She took her role as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend to heart and was always happy to “adopt” those who need these roles filled. She will be missed greatly by her community, ward and family.
Marilyn is survived by her children Kim Grace (Russ), Vanette Lambert (Jared), Cheryl Waldvogel (Brent) and Bill Christensen (Stacie); her grandchildren Garrett (Anna) Lambert, McKenna (Jordan) Lance, Stephen, Cameron Grace, Justin (Evelyn) Grace, Kyle (Angela) Grace, Brenden Grace, Christie Day, Brent II (Jael) Waldvogel, Hailee Waldvogel and Austin Waldogel; great-grandchildren Barton, Jacquelyn, Elden, Brayden and Brent III. She is also survived by her sister Connie Kleese.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her mother Virginia, father Barton and siblings Gloria, Barton “Hardy”, Janet, Ada, Dar, Freeman, Carolyn and Inez. She is finally rejoined with her sweetheart, William K. Christensen.
The viewing will be held on Friday, Aug. 26, at 8 a.m. and the funeral service will follow at 9 a.m., at Spilsbury Mortuary in St George, Utah, 110 South Bluff St. Interment will take place in the Henrieville Utah Cemetery Friday, Aug. 26, at 3 p.m.
Family and friends who are unable to attend are invited to click here to view the funeral service. During the live streaming, friends and family will have an opportunity to sign Marilyn’s guest book.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to click here to leave a memory on the Spilsbury Mortuary website.