Verla Christensen Edlund

Verla Christensen Edlund, or "Chris" as she was known to her friends passed away on December 20, just two days after reaching the age of 90.  Chris was born in Manti, Utah on December 18, 1926 to Marie Rasmussen Christensen and Ferdinand James Christensen. Chris was the seventh of eight children, and the last one living at the time of her death.  She grew up on a farm in Manti and loved the outdoors.  She told stories of hiking up Manti Canyon with her sled in the winter when she was young and then riding the two or three miles down to the bottom as fast as she could go.  She enjoyed working in the fields with her father and brothers and sisters in the summer.  She would go through the fields before the hay was cut and gather all the pheasant eggs.  She helped her mother in the large garden next to the family home.  Many large family reunions were held at her parents' home in Manti with her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, as well as her sons, David, Thom and Mark.

After graduating from Manti High School, she moved to Salt Lake City where she shared a house with some girl friends.  After the end of World War II, she met a handsome returning veteran, Marv Edlund. They were married on June 9, 1948.  They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in April 1968.  She was married to Marv for fifty six years until he passed away in 2004. They built a home in the East Millcreek area and were some of the first to move into the area.  Their three boys were born and raised in the house in East Millcreek.  They made many lifelong friends living there.  She loved to garden.  She loved flowers and vegetables from the garden.  When she grew too old to keep up her yard, her son Thom and his wife Teresa made sure that it was kept up to her exacting standards.  Her granddaughter Lisa made sure the house was always clean and her clothes were washed. She loved camping with family and friends in the small trailer that Marv purchased in the early sixties.  Great times were spent visiting the many beautiful areas throughout Utah and surrounding areas.  She especially loved the deserts and canyons of southern Utah.  Winters were spent at home on Saturday while Marv and her sons went skiing. She also loved Christmas.  Most important to Chris was her family.  She was proud of each one of their accomplishments in life, no matter how large or small. She dearly loved her sons and their wives, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would always gather on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts.  Mom loved a good bargain and would shop the sales at ZCMI throughout the year, so there were always plenty of gifts for everyone.  She also enjoyed cooking for her family.  Her famous orange rolls were guaranteed to draw a family member (or two) to the house.  Chris was an active member of the LDS Church.  She served in the Sunday School, Primary and Cub Scouts and helped Marv when he was the Webelos leader.

The family would like to express their gratitude for all of her wonderful friends and neighbors.  It was such a comfort to us knowing that her driveway was always shoveled, that someone would often show up with a hot dinner, and that she was always being visited (especially by special younger visitors).  No one could have lived in a better place or had better care.  We would also like to thank Alissa, her hospice nurse who helped her through the last difficult months of her life.

Chris is survived by her three sons and their wives, David (Laura), Thomas (Teresa) and Mark (Carrie), eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, Vernal Edlund and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Marvin, grandson Jonathan and her four sisters and three brothers and their spouses.

A memorial service will be held Friday, December 30, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East (parking is in the back). Viewings will be held Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 prior to the service. Interment will be at Murray City Cemetery.

Plant a flower in her honor this spring.

A guestbook to post messages and tributes for the family is available at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com