Pleasant Grove High School

Leah Jeanne Rachel Swenson (Christofferson) - 10/19/2011

Class of 1942

Leah Jeanne Rachel Swenson Christofferson passed away October 19, 2011, in Salt Lake City, surrounded by her family.

Jeanne was born August 13, 1924, the fifth child of Adena Hannah Warnick and Helge Vincent Swenson. Jeanne grew up on a small fruit farm in Manila, north of Pleasant Grove, Utah. She was involved in many ward and school activities. She was a member of a local trio in high school. A high point of her youth was when, at seventeen, she was named an Outstanding 4-H Girl, and won a trip to Chicago to the national 4-H convention.

During her freshman year at BYU, she met Paul Vickery Christofferson from Lehi, Utah, and they married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 24, 1944. She lived with her parents while Paul served in the Army in Burma and China.

After WWII, Paul completed his veterinary studies at Colorado State University. They moved back to Utah with their two infant sons, where they resided until the family, now with five sons, moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1960. In addition to Utah and New Jersey, they lived in Illinois, Missouri, Colorado and California. They returned to Utah and were living in Draper at the time of her death.

One of the great joys in her life was her participation in the Relief Society and Young Women organizations. In each new location, she felt an immediate bond of sisterhood. She had a love for everyone and a gift for making best friends.

Jeanne underwent radical cancer surgery in 1957, which compromised her health for the rest of her life. She developed a tenacity and determination in overcoming illness that was one of her strongest characteristics. She has imbued in her sons and descendants love for the Gospel and a determination to do their best.

Jeanne is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Paul; her sons, Elder D. Todd (Kathy), Greg (MarJane), Tim (Julie), Wade (Becky) and Tom (Clarke); and her beloved sister, Adena Nell Gourley; as well as 18 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren. Special care was given to Jeanne in the last years of her life by Karen Mickelson Bills, who she considered as a daughter.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Derek Boam, Paul and Jeanne's personal physician and friend, as well as the doctors, nurses and staff at the Intermountain Medical Center.

There will be a viewing on Sunday, October 23, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, and on Monday, October 24, from 9:30-10:30AM at the Draper Stake Center, 13085 So. 300 East, Draper, Utah,

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 24, at the same location. Interment will be in the Lehi City Cemetery.

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