CHRISTENSEN, Melva

Melva Christensen, 80 of Salida, died Jan. 16, 2007, after a long illness. Mrs. Christensen, the ninth of 12 children, was born Jan. 22, 1926, in Moab, Utah, to Nora Mae Dalton and Milton Edwin Johnson. She spent her youth in Moab. In 1943 she came to Colorado and later married. She became the mother of three - one son and two daughters. Her greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and wife. She loved cooking and feeding groups of family and friends at home, church and reunions. She was creative and used it in her love of cooking, sewing, crafting and teaching others. She had a contagious smile, a generous nature and set an example through her acts and deeds. She enjoyed life to the fullest and loved to laugh. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in relief society and young women. In 1986 she moved to Salida upon the retirement of her husband, Charles E. Martin, who preceded her in death in 1993. She married Donald W. Christensen in 1994. Their marriage was solemnized in the Denver Colorado Temple one year later. Survivors are her husband; daughters, Geraldine Bates of Montrose and Janine Weitzel of Littleton; son, Glenn Godat of Arvada; sister, Ida Mae Hurst of Payson, Utah; brother, John D. Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah; several grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two grandsons. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 20, 2007, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1140 Poncha Blvd., Salida. Viewing will be from 7-8 p.m. Jan. 19, 2007, and from 9-10:30 a.m. Jan. 20, 2007, at the church. The Mountain Mail