Elaine Christiansen

Elaine Blood Christiansen, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, educator, and friend, passed into eternity on October 20, 2025, just days after being surrounded by family and loved ones celebrating her seventy-fourth birthday.
Elaine was born on October 17, 1951, in American Fork, Utah, to Richard B. Blood and Fae Kirkman Blood. Two years later, her sister, Maurine, arrived, and four years later, her brother, Scott, joined the family. She honored her parents and loved her siblings.
Elaine attended Harrington Elementary, American Fork Junior High and she graduated from American Fork High School in 1969.
From a young age, it had been Elaine's dream to become a teacher. So, the summer after graduation, she immediately enrolled in college courses at Brigham Young University. The next three years she attended school year-round, graduating early with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.
After graduating from college, she began working as a Kindergarten aide at Windsor Elementary in Orem. The following year, she was promoted to a staff position teaching first grade, the age group she adored and taught throughout her career.
In August 1973, she met Gail Christiansen on a blind date. They shared many interests including a love for the gospel, sports, and family. They were sealed for time and eternity in the Provo Temple on April 10, 1974. Gail and Elaine had an exemplary marriage spanning five decades of joyful companionship.
Gail and Elaine welcomed three wonderful children to their family. Erin (spouse Craig) was born in 1975, Brigham (spouse Jenny) in 1977, and Matthew (spouse Bethany) in 1981. Elaine taught at Windsor until 1978 to support Gail through college. She then took a break to raise her young family.
After a decade at home, Elaine returned to the classroom teaching at Grovecrest Elementary for twelve years, followed by fourteen years at the newly opened Mount Mahogany Elementary. During her time at both schools, Elaine put together a memorable Christmas Program performed by the entire first grade. She retired in 2014, shortly after her mother passed away. Hundreds of students affectionately knew her as Mrs. 'C.'.
After she retired, Elaine helped her sister and brother take care of their dad until he passed away in 2017. Together, they spent countless hours in Christlike service.
In 2018, Gail and Elaine submitted their papers to serve as Senior Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They received a call to serve in the New Mexico Farmington Mission and were assigned to the Zuni Indian Reservation in Zuni, New Mexico. They loved their mission and the Native American people they served. Sadly, their time in New Mexico was cut short due to a medical emergency. Elaine had to be taken by helicopter to Albuquerque where she nearly lost her life. Thankfully, she was spared, and they were honorably released from their mission in August 2019.
Despite continued health challenges, Elaine was grateful to have been given extra time to spend with her family. Her world revolved around her eight grandchildren: Megan (spouse Ayden), Britton (spouse Caitlyn), Roman, Tanner, Cami, Chase, Gracie, and Kira. She was also thrilled to have two great-grandsons, Decker Hayes and Mack Dodger. Each grandchild became a valued friend, and Elaine attended and supported all their various activities. Baseball, basketball, volleyball, football, choir concerts, dance and wrestling: no matter what it was (or how cold the temperatures were!) she and Gramps were there.
Elaine specialized in making cherished memories with her family. Whether it was going to Gardner Village for Fall Break, weekly Sunday dinners, birthday dinners, pizza and Trick or Treating on Halloween, Easter Egg hunts, or especially hosting Christmas Eve- no sacrifice was too great to help all gather and feel loved.
She planned multiple vacations to Disneyland, Dodger Stadium, and Newport beach. One Christmas, the entire family went on an unforgettable Disney Cruise to the Bahamas. In 2024, they went on an Alaskan Cruise to celebrate Gail and Elaine's 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Elaine was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She felt very privileged to be born to a Latter-day Saint family where she enjoyed the blessings of the Gospel throughout her life. She acknowledged that every good thing in her life came from being a member of the church. She served in many different callings in the Primary, Young Women's, and Relief Society. But her favorite calling was serving as Ward Librarian for many years. She had a firm testimony and loved her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was grateful for the knowledge that families can be together forever!
Elaine touched literally thousands of lives with her quiet, selfless service. Her legacy of love, sacrifice, and devotion is now ours to carry as we honor and remember her extraordinary life well lived.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 11:00 am in the Battle Creek Seventh Ward, 1106 East 200 South, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing from 9:00 – 10:45 am prior to the service.
Services are under the care and direction of Olpin Family Mortuary in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Condolences may be sent to the family at olpinmortuary.com.