Margaret Geraldine “Jeri” Blaylock Christiansen

Margaret Geraldine “Jeri” Blaylock Christiansen, died Tuesday February 6, 2024, at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray Utah, from natural causes related to advanced age.

Jeri was born on November 29, 1937, in Pocatello, Idaho to Sherwood James Blaylock and Margaret Emiline Skelton. She had four younger siblings Andrea, Roger, Susan, and Steven.

In 1956, she graduated from Ben Lomond High School, North Ogden, Utah and was among the first graduating class to complete all three years at the school. She was a member of the Allonettes and sang Soprano in the high school choir under the direction of Ed Sandgren. Her school traveled to Disneyland and was one of the first groups to sing at the amusement park after it opened in 1955. She had a lifetime love of roller coasters and amusement parks. Following high school, she pursued a degree in music at Weber College, performing in several plays including the school’s production of the musical Oklahoma.

On June 20, 1958, after years of dating, and long-distance writing, she was married to her eternal companion Orson J. Christiansen the Salt Lake City Temple. The marriage was officiated by Orson’s great uncle, ElRay Christiansen, who was serving as the temple president. Jeri and Orson were married for 63 years and remained faithful sweethearts until his death in September 2021.

For a majority of her career, she worked in banking at the Lockhart Company and Zion’s Bank. Jeri loved parties and holidays and was a fabulous hostess. Most notably hosting annual Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s parties. Her infectious laugh evidenced her absolute love of life.

Jeri’s parents operated a movie theater when she was young, and it began a lifelong love affair of movies. Movies, popcorn, Junior Mints were all staples in her home. She loved mysteries, soap operas, musicals, and the theatre. She was a season ticket holder to Pioneer Theater Company and the Hale Centre Theatre for decades cherishing multiple productions of her favorite shows.

As a child she spent summers visiting her grandparents in Rexburg and Island Park, Idaho. Island Park was one of her favorite places to visit, taking her children annually to enjoy the beauty of the Snake River, Big Springs, Pond’s, Mack’s Inn, Quake Lake, and Yellowstone.

Jeri was always singing. For 40 years she sang Soprano for the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir, under the direction of Armont Willardsen, and George Welch, enjoying many great and wonderful associations. Orson and Jeri resided in the Willow Creek, Sandy from 1978 until the time of her death. She was an active member of the Willow Creek Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Jeri was the matriarch of her family. The glue that kept everything and everyone together. She frequently expressed her love for family. She loved and was loved. Jeri is survived by her eldest son Brent Christiansen (Draper, Utah), her daughter-in-law, Joy Christiansen (Sandy, Utah), her daughter Andrea (“Jill”) Sutherland (Sandy, Utah), her son Orson Jeffrey (“Jeff”) & Laury Christiansen (Taylorsville, Utah), and her son Gregory (“Greg”) James & Tiffany Christiansen (Draper, Utah). She is also survived by her sister Andrea (Douglas) Merrill (Brigham City, Utah), her sister Susan (Jim) Coleman (Roy, Utah), and brother Steven (Patty) Blaylock (Santa Maria, California). She is survived by 17 loving grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Jeri was preceded in death by her husband Orson J. Christiansen, her son Michael Steven Christiansen, her son-in-law Kyle Sutherland, and her brother Roger Blaylock.

A special thanks to the nurses, staff, and doctors at the Riverton Hospital and the IMC for the care provided to Jeri over the past couple of weeks.

Funeral services will be held at noon, Friday February 16, 2024, at the Willow Creek 2nd Ward Chapel located at 2400 East Alta Canyon Drive, Sandy, Utah with Bishop Bill Christensen officiating. Friends and family may attend a family gathering and prayer between 11:15 and 11:50 am. With interment at the Ben Lomond Cemetery, in North Ogden.

“Oh, wad some power the giftie gie us. To see ourselves as others see us!” – Robert Burns.