Ann Spencer Christensen

Ann was born March 30, 1923, in Kanab, Utah, to Joseph Gurnsey and Ivie May (Burnham) Spencer. She was the youngest of three children. After her mother’s death when Ann was 3-1/2, she went to live with a maternal aunt, Anna Edna Burnham, in Brigham City, Utah. She was adopted by her Aunt Edna after her father’s death in 1928 when Ann was five. Her older brothers, Orson and Wallace, were raised together by another maternal aunt and her husband, Larue and Carl Hazel Yates, on a ranch in Yost, Utah. Though separated by distance as they grew up, Ann was united with Orson and Wallace as often as possible, and they were very devoted to each other their entire lives.

On July 15, 1939, at the age of 16, Ann had her first date with a neighbor boy, Scott Peters Christensen. They were smitten with each other from that moment on and never wavered in their devotion to each other. She graduated from Bear River High School in Tremonton, Utah, in May 1942. On July 15, 1942, Ann and Scott became engaged and they were married in the Salt Lake City LDS temple on March 19, 1943.

The newlyweds moved to New York City where Scott attended Cornell Medical School and Ann worked as a lab assistant for Dr. Rene Dubos, a world-renowned bacteriologist doing TB research at the Rockefeller Institute. It was an eventful time and an exciting place to live for two small-town kids from Utah.

Ann and Scott had three children: David Spencer Christensen born in Cooperstown, New York; Diane Christensen in Colon, Panama; and Lynn Spencer Christensen in Denver, Colorado. They moved to Grand Junction in 1954 and into their current home in 1955 when Scott began his private surgical practice. Ann had many interests (skiing, golfing, reading, bowling, travelling, playing bridge, square dancing, and fishing) and was involved in many community activities and organizations (Women’s Auxiliary to the Mesa County Medical Society, Camaraderie, the Art Center, and the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra). For 10 years she worked at Enstrom’s Candies hand-dipping chocolates and decorating Easter eggs. Annual ski trips to their Powderhorn condo allowed grandchildren and great-grandchildren to learn to ski and hours in her backyard pool got them all swimming at an early age. Totally committed to her growing family, it was a given that she would attend her grandchildren’s special activities whenever possible.

Throughout her life, Ann had a large circle of friends that was always expanding. She considered everyone a friend and loved and accepted them as they were. Her generosity, enthusiasm, love of adventure, great wisdom and compassion, and devotion to her beloved family have been a blessing and an example to us all. Gigi was the heart of her family and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her Aunt Edna, her two brothers, her husband, and her son, David. She is survived by her daughter, Diane (Howard) Formisano of Centennial, CO; her son, Lynn (Debbie) Christensen of Loma, CO; eight grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren (and twins due in December).

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 27, 2018, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, 2515 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, and prior to the funeral from 9-9:45 a.m. at the LDS church. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 28, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2235 Kingston Road. Burial will follow the services at Orchard Mesa Cemetery, I.O.O.F. Section.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ann’s name may be made to Hope West Hospice, 3090B North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506 or at HopeWestCO.org.