Sarah Edith Thornton Christensen, 98, of American Fork, passed away Wed., August 9, 2000, at her home.
She was born April 1, 1902 at home in American Fork to John Miller Thornton and Sarah Jane Shelley. She lived in American Fork all of her life except for the 26 months she spent on a mission for the LDS Church in the Northern States in 1925. She attended school in American Fork. She graduated from American Fork High School on a Friday in May 1920, and the following Monday went to work at the Bank of American Fork. She worked there, taking time out for her mission, until the depression when the banks closed. She then worked for the Utah Bank Examiners until she worked herself out of a job. When the Bank of American Fork did not reopen, she went to work for the People State Bank which changed it's name to Bank of American Fork later on. She worked there until her retirement in 1985 at the age of 83. She was elected chairman of the Utah Group, National Association of Bank Women, in 1963. She held various positions in the Church, including Stake Young Women's president, stake Primary presidency, Ward Relief Society presidency, taught Sunday School for 39 years, she was a Temple Worker at the Provo Temple and was also a Visiting Teacher. On August 11, 1947 she married the love of her life, Louis Christensen, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They had a wonderful marriage for 21 short years when he passed away on June 2, 1968. Her wish to be reunited with Louis and her family has come to pass after spending 32 long years alone.
She is survived by two step-daughters Lela (Gordon) Hansen, Orem; and Cleo (Read) Miller, American Fork; also nieces and nephews Ray (Shirley) Greenwood, American Fork; Elaine (Bert) Stevenson, Rupert Idaho; Glen (Maurine) Anderson, American Fork; Ronald (Loraine) Strong, Wendell (Mary) Strong, June (Neldon) Walters, all of Alpine; 24 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Mon. August 14, 2000 at 11 a.m. in the American Fork 27th Ward (165 No. 350 West). Friends may call Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at the Anderson & Sons Mortuary (49 East 100 North American Fork) and Monday one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial in the Lehi City Cemetery.