Dora Elsie Bloxham Christensen passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, December 14, 2008 at the age of 96. She was residing at her daughter’s home in Monticello, Utah at the time of her death.

Dora made her entrance into this world on Dec. 6th, 1912 at Downey, Idaho. She was the 5th of 12 children born to Richard Thomas Bloxham and Elsie Henderson. She had 5 sisters and 6 brothers. She married Ruel Andrew Christensen on Nov. 8, 1930 in Pocatello, Idaho. They were later sealed in the Logan Temple in December 1934 along with 3 of their daughters, beginning their eternal family.

Ruel and Dora spent their lives living and working farms. They purchased more land as their family grew. Both of them were hard, productive workers and enjoyed working the soil. They were the proud parents of 12 children, 8 daughter and 4 sons. Dora’s greatest joy in life came from her family-both her siblings and parents as well as her own children, spouses and progeny. Most of Dora’s time and energy was spent in service to her family, as well as others as she determined the need. When not engaged in service, she could be found in her flower or vegetable gardens. She loved to sew, making clothing for her children, quilts for others, crocheting afghans for her children and grandchildren as well as pot holders, washclothes and scrubbers as gifts for many.

Dora was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She always had a strong faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ and his Church. During her lifetime she served in numerous capacities in the Church, including: Primary President and teacher, Releif Society Presidencies and teacher both on the ward and stake levels. She was a Sunday School teacher and served as an officiator in the Logan Temple with her husband, Ruel. She loved doing temple work and geneology. She spent the Friday before her death giving service in the Monticello, Utah temple doing the work she loved. Dora served as a visiting teacher for most of her adult life, except for the last few years as her health declined. She loved the opportunity to visit the lonely and homebound; frequently taking warm loaves of bread or rolls, soup or other treats as she visited. Dora lived a full and examplary life to all who knew her.

Dora was preceeded in death by her husband of 70 years, Ruel Andrew Christensen; a son, Ruel Dee and a baby daughter, as well as her parents and the following brothers and sisters: Thomas Bloxham, Idona Hamilton, Vera Leyland, Olive Myrtle Bloxham, Jennie Hendricks, Ray Bloxham, Don Bloxham and Richard Gail Bloxham; four sons-in law, Dean Knighton, Argyle Henrie, Virgil Ricks, Reese Ward and two grandsons. She is survived by ons sister, Verdis(Glen) Cox, two brothers, Merl (Leora) Bloxham, Von (Lois) Bloxham and 3 sister-s in law: LuDean Erickson, Beth Bloxham and Beulah Bloxham as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by her children: Uvonne (Jay) Christensen, DeLene Henrie Ward, Lona Gay Knighton Ricks, Bonnie Rae (Scott) Sheriff, Merna (Ronald) Johnson, Allan (DeeAnn) Christensen, Elese(Vernon) Parent, Neil (Terri) Christensen, Rula Dawn Beardall and Darrell (Leanne) Christensen as well as 41 grand children, 160 great- grandchildren and 96 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2008 in the Arimo Stake Center at 12:00 noon. Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening, December 19, from 6:00 – 8:00pm in the Horsley’s Marsh Valley Funeral Home, 570 N Meadowview Dr, Arimo, and on Saturday morning from 10:30 – 11:30 am prior to the service in the church. A complete obituary will follow in a later edition of the Idaho State Journal. Condolences may be sent to www.horsleyfuneralhome.com