Barbara Marie Reeves Christiansen

Our sweet, beautiful, loving Mom, Grandma, and Great-grandma, age 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 surrounded by her children.  

Barbara was born on August 26, 1935 to Clarence E. Reeves and Marie I. Kowallis Reeves in Salt Lake City, Utah.  

Barbara was an only child until the age of 10 years old when her sister Vicki was born.  Her Mom and Dad both worked, so from the time she was a little girl through her teens, she spent most of her summers in Logan, Utah with her Grandma and Grandpa Kowallis and Aunts and Uncles.  Mom had many wonderful memories of her days in Logan and we enjoyed hearing her stories.   Mom loved and stayed in touch with her Kowallis cousins.  

Barbara was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She had a strong faith and enjoyed going to church and being involved in many church-related activities.  She had a wonderful group of girlfriends and they remained friends throughout their lives.  Barbara also served several callings within the Church.

Barbara graduated from South High School in 1953.  She even attended her 70^th high school reunion at South High School.

Barbara met the love of her life, Calvin J. Christiansen.  They married on November 13, 1954 and were married 67 years and had five children.  They loved each other very much and really enjoyed each other’s company, from dancing, laughing, taking long rides and sharing many other adventures.  

Barbara was a devoted, loving wife and mom.  Her husband and her children were everything to her and the joy of her life.   She kept an immaculate home and was an excellent cook.  One of the things she enjoyed the most was trying new recipes.  She would cook or bake the recipe and ask for our critique. She also enjoyed listening to music, playing the piano, singing and playing board games and cards, and taking vacations with her family.  

She also worked outside the home, from waitressing at her mother’s coffee shop and cafe to selling singer sewing machines and working as a receptionist/title processor at Granite Credit Union. 

Mom always made holidays and family get-togethers special and fun with her decorations, beautifully set table and wonderful food.  Our sweet Dad was always by her side and helped Mom with whatever she needed.  Mom initiated all of our family traditions that we cherish and will continue doing with our families.  

We will miss Mom’s love, beautiful smile, sweetness, caring nature and selflessness.  We find comfort in knowing Mom and Dad are together in Heaven. 

Barbara is survived by her children Jaylene (John) Rowley, Brenda Christiansen Shaw, Clayton (Andrea) Christiansen, Lisa (Mark) Palmer and Bobbie (John) Morgan, thirteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Jay Christiansen, her parents and her sister, Vicki.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery, 6500 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah. There will be a viewing prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. at the same location.   Graveside dedication will follow the service.