Michael Lee Christiansen

Michael Lee Christiansen, 73, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Spring Creek Healthcare Center, Millcreek, Utah, at the end of a long, long journeywith Alzheimer’s Disease. Michael was born on August 24, 1950, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Simon Martin and Donna Lee Loftis Christiansen, the second of their six children. He married Susan Matheson on July 18, 1990, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Michael was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a missionary in what was then called the Quebec-Ontario Mission. He later served in othercallings in the church, including as a teacher, home teacher, bishopric counselor, and stake executive secretary. He spent many years searching for his ancestors, and particularly enjoyed working with “Pop,” his maternal grandfather, as they traveledto many places to search for records.

Mike loved animals from the beginning and originally wanted to become a veterinarian like his Uncle Mac. But eventually he realized that as a vet he would be on call at all hours. He decided that would take him away too much from his future family. He switched to animal science with a focus on ruminant nutrition(that’s cows, sheep, and goats for the layman).

Another great love of Mike’s was always music. He got anacoustic guitar at age 12 and spent many hours taking lessons and practicing. The combination of the guitar and his clear, tenor voice was a treasured sound because he wasn’t willing to play and sing for just anyone. Mike had “the music in him” as well. He didn’t like couples dancing very much, although he would dance on special occasions, but if a song with just the right beat came on, he had to dance with it. His friends at Neighborhood House especially appreciated his moves.

Photography and art were other deep loves. Camera in hand, Mike would search locations, taking pictures of everything fromcloseups of moss on a tree to landscapes with unique skies. From his photos, he would choose one that especially spoke to him and create it as a detailed colored-pencil piece of art.

Mike liked to say he got “all” the education. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Utah State University and his doctorate from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. After graduate work, he taught Animal Science courses at the University of Hawaii-Hilo on the Big Island. It was there that he met Susan Matheson, who moved to Hilo from Salt Lake City, Utah. They were married three months and 18 days later.

Those years in Hawaii shaped Mike and Susan and defined their lives as they learned aloha from new friends and unity as a couple. Mike blossomed as he taught, worked with the animals at the university’s farm, and served in the church with the brothers and sisters that he loved and who loved him back.

The couple became a family of three when “miracle baby” Sarah Leilani Christiansen was born on September 24, 1994, in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was soon apparent that beautiful Sarah was vivacious, very intelligent, and eager to learn. Mike delighted in showing and sharing the world with her. 

Another daughter joined the family many years later. Sarah met Sarah Woomer when she started attending a new middle school, and they hit it off immediately. Soon The Sarahs were inseparable, and Mike and Susan quickly grew to love this chosen daughter. She completed the family in ways no one had realized weren’t whole. After that time, adventures and life events were joyfully celebrated as a quartet. Mike’s eyes would always light up when his Sarahs would visit. Even as dementia took so many memories, he would ask Susan daily, “Are the girls coming over?”

Whether teaching, watching over feed quality, mixing paint, or cheering up the “old” people at Neighborhood House, Mike was known as a good and gentle man who always wanted to make a friend, do his best, and continue to learn—and also for his trademark cowboy boots and hat.

Michael will be missed for his huge smile, bright blue eyes, and the intangibles that made him a unique, calming, and quiet presence. Aloha, Michael—until we meet again.

Susan would like to thank the kind, caring, and fun-loving staff at Neighborhood House, and Lindsie, A.J., and the extraordinary nurses, CNAs, and aides at Spring Creek Healthcare Center and Horizon Hospice for the care they gave to Mike during the last years of his life. They went above and beyond very frequently.He was always in good hands.

Michael is survived by his wife, Susan, daughter Sarah Leilani, chosen daughter Sarah Elizabeth Woomer, and siblings Marty (Suzanne Mackay—deceased), Connie (Karl Thomas), Scott (Debby Black), Cynthia, and Teresa (Louie Margetis).

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 2, at noon at the LDS Meetinghouse on 1106 E. Old Dairy Road (8050 South), Sandy, Utah. Visitation will be held at Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 South), Cottonwood Heights, Utah, on Monday, July 1 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and also the day of the service from 11:00 to 11:45 am at the place of service. At a later date, Michael’s ashes will be taken to Laupahoehoe Point on the Big Island of Hawaii.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Neighborhood House of Salt Lake City or the Alzheimer’s Association. 

 Zoom Link

Topic: Michael Christiansen Funeral

Time: Jul 2, 2024 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

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