Norma Jane Christensen

Mom’s guardian angels came and took her by the hand on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, and relieved her of her chronic and lingering pain and suffering.

Norma was born in the Spring of 1938 in Provo, Utah. She was the first of six blessings sent to be reared and loved by Ivan Reed Sorenson and Edith Jane Goode Sorenson. When Mom was a child, her parents moved to Axtell, Utah, to be near family and purchase land to begin their dairy farming business. Growing up on the family farm is where Mom and her siblings (Lois, Leah, Helen, Faye, and Reed) spent hours playing and working alongside one another. In Axtell, Mom and her siblings had the bonus of living near Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. Mom developed her strong work ethic and began her lifelong love with the outdoors, nature, gardening, and animals while growing up on the farm.

Mom was a quiet, sometimes shy child who blossomed into the strong-willed, smart, confident, and very independent woman that we all loved and admired. In November of 1955, on Thanksgiving Day, Mom met Ned Christensen from Redmond, Utah. Ned had just returned from serving in the United States Army. They fell in love and married the following Spring. Together, they raised three daughters, Nedra, Colleen, and Kathy.

Mom had many interests, skills, and talents. She especially loved listening to music, gardening, reading, drawing, painting, sewing, and baking pies. Mom had an admirable work ethic and was impossible to keep up with! She filled her days working both outside of her home and inside. Mom retired after many years of service to Sperry Univac (Unisys). It was at Unisys where she made many life-long and treasured friendships. Throughout the years, many of them kept in touch until dementia robbed Mom of these memories and the ability to continue to communicate with them—many thanks to those of you who contacted us to inquire about this change.

While at home, Mom enjoyed working in her beautiful yard and garden. Spring peas from her garden were always a family favorite! Mom always made sure she grew plenty to share. Neighbors often walked by and commented on her beautiful yard and flowers. She was always giving flower starts to anyone who requested. Mom was selfless, always putting everyone else’s needs before her own. She always made time to lend a hand or offer a room in her home. (and we all know about her heart and budget for stray cats!) Mom took care of the young and old in the family. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mom took great pride in her family.

If and when Mom did take time to relax, you would find her relaxing on a blanket outside or at a park with Dad or the grandkids. Sitting quietly, enjoying a hot cup of tea, reading, crocheting, sewing, listening to a Marty Robbins record, or taking time to call a friend.

When Mom and Dad retired, Mom wanted to return to Axtell to live on the same land she grew up on. Dad preferred the city life, but Mom wanted to move back to the country. Living closer to her elderly Mom, where she and her siblings could share the responsibilities of helping Grandma with her day-to-day tasks. Dad’s response to Mom’s desire to retire in Axtell always was, “You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl”. The dairy farm in Axtell that our grandparents started decades ago is a very special place for generations of our family. We all have special memories of family celebrations and visits to the farm. We all hold these family memories near and dear to our hearts.

Norma is survived by her children, Nedra Greer of Lowell, Wisconsin, Colleen Harland of Reno, Nevada, and Kathy Christensen-Elorreaga of Draper, Utah; eight grandchildren; and her great-grandchildren; sisters, Lois Argyle, Leah Bird, Helen Hoffman, Faye Martell, and brother Reed Sorenson (Donna). She was preceded in death by her husband, Ned L. Christensen; son-in-law, Keven L. Greer; son-in-law, John Harland; her parents; and her brother-in-laws, Ron Argyle, Bill Hoffman, Terry Martell, Dan Burns, and Ross Christensen; and her sister-in-law, Donna Burns.

As per Norma’s request, there will be no funeral. There will be a small private family graveside prayer service and a Celebration of Life later this Spring. She is in the care of Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti.