Emma Elizabeth Christensen

Emma Elizabeth Christensen, a lifelong resident of Moab, Utah, and recent resident of Grand Junction, Colorado, passed away on April 19, 2020, at the age of 21. She left this world on her own terms, in the way she wanted to leave it. Emma was a fighter, and she fought invisible battles for almost her entire life. She was tired, and this world and this life were too overwhelmingly painful for her. She decided to end the war on her terms. She didn’t lose the war, she simply allowed herself to stop fighting it. She is finally at peace, and the constant pain and confusion no longer exists. Emma was born on December 3rd, 1998 in Grand Junction Colorado, to Dalena Bowthorpe and Richard Christensen. She spent time living with Lisa and Bill Olsen, who helped to raise her in her early childhood. She also looked to them as parents. Pete Terwilleger is her stepfather, and she loved him as though they were blood. He helped Dalena to raise her for most of her life.

Emma was interested in Veterinary Science, and she loved animals, especially horses. She was willing to work hard when she needed to, but she also didn’t take life too seriously and spent her time the way she wanted; having fun, being with friends, riding horses, and spending time with those she loved the most. She loved hunting, camping, swimming, riding dirt bikes and 4 wheelers, playing pranks on the people she loved, and generally being a pain in the butt. She had a laugh and a smile that would light up a room. Emma had an unusual and unique sense of humor that everyone loved. She spoke her mind, even if people didn’t like what she had to say. Emma was a firecracker! She was stubborn, loving, funny, thoughtful, shy, outgoing, selfless, abrasive, beautiful, strong, brave, and intelligent. She was the best aunty to all her nieces and her nephews and loved her family fiercely. She left a lasting impact on everyone who was lucky enough to know her. The bravest and most beautiful thing Emma did in her lifetime was to bring a beautiful baby girl named Paxton into this world on October 18, 2015, and have the strength to be selfless and allow her to be raised by her sister, Ashley Oliver and Kelly Oliver, because she knew wasn’t able to care for a child herself. She made the hardest and most painful decision a mother can make for her child and will always be celebrated for that.

Emma is survived by her parents, Dalena Bowthorpe, Richard Christensen, and Pete Terwilleger; her sisters, Ashley (Kelly) Oliver (and their children, Paxton and Jude), Dalena (Bobby) Powers, Tiffani (Kyle) Allred (and their children, Liylla, Paisley, Gracie); her brother; Monte (Aryonna) Christensen; grandparents, Bill and Phyllis Beard, Monte and Janie Bowthorpe, Lola Christensen, and Colene Terwilleger; her aunt, Lisa Bowthorpe (Bill Olsen); uncles, Kent Bowthorpe, and Richard “Dick” (Miya) Christensen; and many extended family and friends. She is predeceased by her great-grandparents, Donna (Lynn) Day, May Stocks; uncle, Shane (Cinnamon) Christensen; great-uncle, Donnie Bowthorpe, and nephew, Jameson Dee Powers.

Emma will be cremated, and the majority of her ashes will be in a permanent urn, in the Castle Valley Cemetery where she will have a plot right below her great-grandmother, Donna Day, and other family members.

We would like to invite all family and friends to a celebration of life as soon as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Announcements will be made regarding the event, as soon as we are able to plan it.

Close friends and family will have a private celebration and balloon release for Emma on Saturday April 25th at a family member’s property.

“The world got a little darker the day you went away, but at least you are no longer in pain.”