Helen Christiansen

Our dear Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother, Sister, and Friend was called home to join her husband, parents, and brother on November 14, 2019.

Helen was born on June 24, 1940 to John B. and Helen Smith Copley in Salt Lake City Utah. The family welcomed John Stephan Copley on October 17, 1941. Helen and John attended elementary school in Salt Lake City before moving to Tooele Utah.

Helen’s mother and her mother’s family migrated from Scotland to Salt Lake City Utah, after joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Helen’s Great Grandfather was the Gate Keeper at the Salt Lake Temple. Grandma Copley always made Scottish Shortbread at Christmas. Grandma’s Scottish Shortbread recipe became Helen and her family’s favorite recipe and has now become a family Christmas tradition. Helen’s father John B Copley, was born and raised in Kentucky. He lied about his age and joined the army when he was 16 years old. While stationed in Utah his friends organized a blind date where he met and then married Helen Marie Smith. The family referred to John as Grandpa Copley, and loved to listen to his stories about his family, Kentucky and his fishing trips. Helen was very proud of her heritage, her parents and adored and respected her brother John Copley. Helen and her sister in law Jane Copley, have worked together for countless hours and many years, researching and documenting the Copley and Smith’s family genealogy.

Helen married Wayne Christiansen April 5th, 1957 in Tooele. After the ceremony Wayne pushed Helen down Main Street in a wheelbarrow. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake City temple in 2018. Helen’s own family was small and her relatives were scattered around the country. When she married Wayne she married the whole Christiansen family. She loved the big family parties and family reunions. They started their lives in Tooele, then moved to Grantsville where they raised their family. Helen said that of all the careers and positions that a women could have in this life, the one she wanted the most was to be a mother. Helen and Wayne had 6 children, Toni (Danny)Dickman, Vicki (Keith)Cordova, Bud Christiansen, Bill (DeAnn)Christiansen, Clint(Kristi) Christiansen and Amy (Rick)Palmer. The family grew to include 19 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Helen’s family was the priority in her life. She made every child and grandchild feel like they were her favorite and they knew they were loved. They all love their Grandma Helen. She was always reaching out to her family as well as others to help. She never missed sending birthday or holiday cards to her loved ones. She made sure all the grandkids had a treat for every Valentine’s Day and Halloween.

Helen was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held many positions serving others. Helen retired from Tooele Army Depot and also worked for the Tooele School District and Wal-Mart. She received many awards and recognitions while working during her employment at Tooele Army Depot.

Helen taught unconditional love and forgiveness by the way she lived her life. She was selfless and humble, always putting others needs first. Helen was a kind gentle loving spirit and treated everyone she knew with kindness and respect. There are no words to express how much she will be missed by her family and friends.

A viewing will be held November 23 rd from 11:00 to 1:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on 428 South Hale Street in Grantsville. Interment will follow at the Grantsville Cemetery. Services under the direction of Didericksen Memorial.