Betty Lois Flanders Christensen

Betty Louis Flanders Christensen returned to her beloved husband on August 9, 2008, following a stroke at the Idaho State Veterans Home.

Betty was born August 23, 1926 in Elko, Nevada to Mary Gwendolyn and Stephen Francis Flanders. Betty grew up in Tooele, Utah with her siblings Margaret, Shirley, Jay, and James (Jimmy). Betty's relationship with her brothers and sisters was incredibly close and important to her. Betty was later reunited with sister Marion Schilke who was adopted out prior to Betty's birth. This was a great surprise and blessing.

Betty attended school in Tooele, Utah. It was at this time she met Garth C. Christensen, a man she described as a "prissy looking guy with beautiful wavy hair and shoes that shined so shiny they blocked the sun." The couple soon fell in love and married in the Salt Lake City Temple December 14, 1943. The couple produced 5 children Garth Lee, Carole, Kenneth Ray, Connie, Howard Scott. Betty's true joy was her children and grandchildren which followed.
Betty had many talents and interests including her faith in the LDS church where she served in the Idaho Falls Temple as an ordinance worker. She loved working crossword puzzles, baking bread and hosting numerous family meals and parties. She was a devoted wife and mother and the needs of her family always were placed first. She taught us all the importance of family, compassion, hard work and sacrifice.

Betty had several hardships in her time including the death of her first child Lee at age 9 and again with the death of her daughter Connie at age 16. No hardship matched the death of her true love Garth after 54 years of marriage. She always maintained they were married for time and eternity and held that during her widowhood he was spending eternity and she was doing time. She has now been reunited to spend eternity with her family. What a welcome homecoming!

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Garth, son Lee, daughter Connie, brother-in-law Harold Haslam and son-in-law Vern Hagler. She is survived by siblings Marion (Erv) Schilke, Margaret Turpin, Shirley Haslam, Jay (Carol) Flanders and Jimmy (Faye) Flanders, children Carole Hagler, Ray and Carol Christensen, Scott and Melanie Christensen, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the numerous people who made Betty's last days enjoyable. Thank you to Smitty and the entire crew at Highland Hills who made Bettys past 4 years wonderful. The Idaho State Veteran's Home hosts a team that is second to none and made Betty's last walk with illness dignified and comfortable. The Creekside Hospice staff offered such compassionate and gentle care to Betty and family.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 PM Tuesday August 12, 2008 at the Arimo Cemetery. Please join us in celebrating Betty's life and many contributions on Tuesday August 12, 2008 from 6:00-8:00 at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W. Chubbuck Road Chubbuck, ID 83202