Nina Christensen

Nina Jean Neeley Christensen, 88, a loving wife, mother and grandmother returned to her Father in Heaven on Thursday, July 25, 2013, in Pocatello, Idaho. Nina was born March 28, 1925 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the first child of Ezra and Elva Neeley. Her family moved to Pocatello where she grew up and graduated from Pocatello High School. She continued her education at ISU and later began working at the railroad as a telegrapher. Growing up Nina was chased and teased by her friend's older brother. It took many years of teasing before Nina fell in love and married Gene E. Christensen on August 17, 1945, in Pocatello, where they raised their family and made their home for almost 68 years. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1946. After getting married, Nina started working for Mt. Bell as a telephone operator. She continued to work there until starting their family. After raising her children, Nina returned to the work force and drove school bus and retired after driving for 20 years. She loved to travel, go camping with family and friends, knit, quilt, sew, sing and dance. Nina made many beautiful sweaters, blankets and quilts for her family. Always a song in her heart, she was often found humming or singing and sang for a period of time with the group Silver Chords. During her life, Nina was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She had 7 children, 22 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. Such great memories of this sweet woman, a fighter to the end. Nina is survived by her loving husband Gene Christensen, children; David (Nelda), Jerry, Brent (JoAnn), Patty (Kevin) Farnsworth, Karen (Boyde) Chatterton, and Debbie (Blaine) Paulsen, siblings; Robert (Roberta) Neeley, Grace Read, Lou Dean Fonnesbeck, and Sister-in-Law Artell Neeley. Nina is preceded in death by her oldest daughter Gwendolyn Jaramillo, parents, brother, Floyd Neeley and brother-in-law Norm Fonnesbeck. Services will be held Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in the LDS Alameda Stake Center. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4 th Ave. and also one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.