Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 16, 2020.
"You gave me life. You showed me love. You sang me songs of God above. You taught me what it is to give. But now it's time for you to go. And Lord knows that I'll miss you so." –" Dragonfly" by the Small Town Titans.
Susan was born on December 7, 1947, to Eva Jane McCollum (Hickson) and Owen Edward McCollum in Reserve, New Mexico. Her family moved to Barstow, California in 1963. She graduated from Barstow High School in 1965. Sue attended Barstow Community College and Abdil School of Business to study business and accounting.
Susan was naturally elegant and beautiful and competed in the Miss Barstow contest in 1967. Barstow is also where she met, fell in love with and married David Lee Christiansen. Sue and David were married on November 4, 1967.
Sue and David remained in Barstow after their marriage and Sue worked at the Fort Irwin Army base in a secretarial role during and after David's Army service. They moved to Oregon and settled in the Rogue Valley in 1973, where Sue mainly worked to raise their children as a stay-at-home mom. When the kids were all in school, she reentered the workforce and contributed to a handful of interesting, challenging, and rewarding careers until she retired in approximately 1995 to be an in-home care provider for her aging father.
Sue was truly a loving and caring woman who touched endless lives with her love, grace, and quirky sense of humor. She was always there with an open heart and an ear to listen. She taught family and friends how to live healthy and fruitful lives. She loved to guide and teach in a matter-of-fact way with humility, honesty, and awareness. She used every opportunity to show her love (and show others how to love) through knowledge and giving. And always with love.
Sue's brother-in-law, Eugene Francis Christiansen nobly joined the army during the Vietnam War to get his drafted brother (David) sent home early to be with his new wife (Susan). Eugene went missing in action in 1969 and Sue forever carried him in her heart and on her sleeve…she donned a chrome POW/MIA bracelet in his honor that she never took off. Eugene's remains were eventually found in Vietnam and identified in 2000, yet she continued to wear the bracelet to show her love and respect for such a giving man who sacrificed his life for her family.
Sue and David have four children: Owen "Ole" Lee Christiansen, Amy Jane Christiansen, Seva Marie McIntosh, and Eugena Lynn Mathiason. When her children were small she learned to make do with what she had and would not hesitate to go without, so others would not. She taught many valuable lessons to her children, and others, throughout her life. Most importantly, Sue taught her loved ones strength and pride.
Her love was most evident in how hard she worked to give her husband and four children a loving and healthy home and how she supported her family in all endeavors. When her children were young, she would be the first one to wake up in the morning to start a fire and drink her Lipton black tea to get her day started. As the children got ready for school, she and David often shared in making their lunches and fresh hand-squeezed orange juice to drink with their vitamins. She would send David and her kids off to work and school, then get herself ready for her job at a natural foods store in Rogue River. Before leaving for work, she often put dinner in the crockpot for the family to share together at the dinner table. Or she would make sure to be home in time to make family favorites, such as New Mexico style enchiladas.
As a mother, Sue did not try to corner her children into societal boundaries. She allowed them to be kids and was supportive of girls playing hot wheels in the dirt or boys playing dolls with their sisters. She consistently encouraged her children to be who they wanted to be and she believed in them with all her heart. She lived and breathed that they could/would do great and honorable things. And when they messed up, she let them know about it but always forgave and never held mistakes over their heads, because she loved them unconditionally. She was always there for her loved ones, through good and bad; reliably letting them lean on her for support or just spending time together which helped lessen the blow of rough times.
Sue and David helped raise their granddaughter Karlee Jane Christiansen (also known as Marlee Jane Gustine) and often had their niece Angla Weatherford (Christiansen) stay with the family during her younger years. She loved and often (and devotedly) cared for her many other nieces and nephews over the years as well. Sue taught many young mothers how to care for their children too, and she never wavered. Many consider Sue as the family's historian, consistently sharing important details about the family's lineage and legacy.
Sue enjoyed the last years of her life living half the year in Los Barriles, Baja California Sur, Mexico, where it was warm in the winter; and where she made many new friends to add to her abundant collection. Family and friends from the states would visit as often as they could. She would travel back to Oregon the other half of the year to be with her family, enjoy the Pacific Northwest Summer and Fall, and tirelessly work to preserve the fall harvest that was grown in their lush fruit and vegetable gardens, as she had done since her children were in diapers.
She was the best mom, grandma, aunt, sister, and friend anyone could ask for. She was always there for her loved ones, be it food on the table, clothes on their back, or even just a voice on the other end of the phone. She loved and cherished her family – one did not have to be blood to be her family – and she always strove to make all feel loved and appreciated.
Sue is survived by so many who love and cherish her. Included in her immediate family is her husband of 52 years, David Lee Christiansen and their four children; son Owen "Ole" Christiansen (former spouse Shannon-still a beloved family member), daughter Amy Christiansen, daughter Seva McIntosh (husband Tommie), and daughter Eugena Mathiason (husband Matthew). She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Karlee Christiansen (also known by Marlee Gustine), Alex Christiansen, David Christiansen, Christian McIntosh (wife Megan), Trevor McIntosh, Jadyn McIntosh, Wyatt Germana, and Kami Germana; and three great-grandchildren: Emetaly Lopez, Timber Lopez, and Zane McIntosh.
Sue was also respected and adored by David's siblings; Dennis Christiansen (and former spouse Linda Thomas), Carl Christiansen (wife Phyllis "Margie"), Basil Christiansen (wife Hiroko), Kevin Christiansen, Brenda Spears (spouse of predeceased brother-in-law Richard Christiansen), Janet Herring (former spouse of predeceased brother-in-law Daniel Christiansen). As well as many nieces and nephews; including Angla Weatherford (husband James), Dorian Christiansen, Duncan Christiansen (wife Stephanie), Danean Christiansen, April Harmon, Teresa Owens Dunnick (husband Charles), Tina McVeigh (husband Pat), Debbie Hannan, Kelly Christiansen, Linda Harbour, Evee Rojo, Arjuna Christiansen and Emily Christiansen.
Susan is predeceased by many who loved her dearly, including Susan's half-siblings Barbra Theole and James "Donald" McCollum, brothers-in-laws Eugene Christiansen, Andre Christiansen, Richard Christiansen, Daniel Christiansen, and sister-in-law Karen Christiansen.
She will forever live in the hearts and minds of everyone she touched. She will always be missed.
She looked beautiful in purple
Her smile was ageless, her strength unmeasured
Her knowledge was vast and she taught with purpose.
I value every piece of advice, lesson, and tip you gave me!
Until we meet again with the angels. –Samantha Baglio-Parks:
Due to COVID 19 Sue's celebration of life is delayed as It is necessary to ensure the health and safety of those who wish to honor the wonderful life of Susan Jane Christiansen. Please stay tuned for updates on our plans to honor her life and contributions to our lives. Contact person for further information: Eugena Mathiason at
[email protected]
