LaRae Shurtliff Christiansen Obituary (1923 - 2016)

LaRae Shurtliff Moffett Christiansen was born November 12, 1923 in Pocatello, Idaho at the home of her fraternal grandparents. She lived most of her early life in Ogden, Utah, graduating from Ogden High School in 1941. On September 27, 1943 she began a 25 year adventure as the wife of Theron E. Moffett. In July of 1951, she and Theron were blessed to adopt a 2 ½ month old baby boy they named Tracy Brian ... LaRae always said, "That day was one of the happiest days of my life." Her adventures continued when on June 24, 1972 she became the wife of Harold Christiansen. She said her 27 ½ year marriage to Harold was the best part of her life. Together they enjoyed children, grandchildren, and many, many friends. They also enjoyed the diverse foods, cultures, and artisan crafts of the world as they experienced four world tours by cruise ship and many other travel, culture, recreational and family experiences. Each member of their family was a recipient of treasures they found around the world. LaRae was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many different callings over the years. She especially enjoyed her calling as first a counselor and then the president in Young Women's, known in her day as MIA, a teacher in the Primary, and as a Visiting Teacher in Relief Society. For 25 years LaRae was a stenographer and, upon partial hearing loss, she left that to enter the hearing aid business where she single handedly conceived, negotiated, and brought to pass the first hearing aid department for Sears. Her success convinced the Sears Corporation to open hearing aid departments in their stores company wide. She worked tirelessly for 10 years helping people hear. Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, needle point, sewing, cooking, dancing and gardening as well as, and perhaps most importantly, loving the people around her, enjoying and encouraging all who knew her. And we absolutely must mention how much she enjoyed her membership in the Red Hat Society which combined her love for good friends, good conversation, and good food with her two favorite colors, purple and red! She was preceded in death by her parents, Orla Charles and Alberta Carlson Shurtliff, step-mother Gudron Kristine Shurtliff, son Brian Moffett, brother Orla Charles Shurtliff, Jr. (OC), and both of her former husbands. She is survived by LaDene (Denie) Moffett, daughter-in-law; Christy Kimberly Horton (Justin); April Leigh Earl (Justin); Casey Brian Moffett (Christina-fiancé and daughter Emi); Rusty Dean Moffett (Ann); Great grandchildren Brianna Horton, Nyah and Amara Earl, Thomas, Ephraim and Zoey Moffett; Dena Shurtliff, sister in-law, one nephew, 4 nieces, 22 grand nieces and nephews, 43 great-grand nieces and nephews, and many Christiansen children, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved dearly and missed fiercely. The family would like to give a special thank you to Ronda Ingram and Deborah and Mark Raymond, devoted friends to LaRae. They enriched her life and cared for her, enveloping her into their family. She loved them dearly. Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 26, 2016, in the LDS Chapel located at 700 East 7500 South, Midvale, Utah 84047. There will be a viewing prior to the service, 9:30-10:30 AM. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray 4760 South State Street Murray, UT