Phyllis Money Christensen February 4, 1926 - November 8, 2024

Phyllis Money Christensen passed away peacefully on November 8, 2024 at the age of 98.  She left behind many who love her but was welcomed by her husband, Wally, and many other loved ones.

Phyllis was born February 4, 1926 in her family home in Palmyra, Utah to William Jex Money and Henrietta Anderson Money.  She loved growing up there on the family farm where she learned to love the outdoors and the importance of hard work.  She loved spending time with her immediate family as well as grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins during her young years and became aware of how important family was in her life.

She attended Thurber Elementary, Junior High and High School in Spanish Fork.  She graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1944.   She was a sophomore when the handsome Senior football captain, Wallace Christensen, asked her to go to a basketball game with him.  She said yes and the love story began.

World War II was being fought and Wally enlisted in the Navy.  Phyllis graduated and went to work at Hill Airforce Base maintaining airplanes as “Rosie the Riveter”.   While the men were away at war, she and her high school friends from their graduating class started the “Amity Club”.  They would meet regularly in friendship and support of each other for over 75 years.

In June of 1945 Wally returned home on leave and Phyllis was married to her sweetheart on June 4, 1945 in the Salt Lake LDS temple.  Salem was a wonderful place to live so they bought ½ block in downtown Salem and Wally built a home for them to raise their family.  There they raised their seven children.  Their home has stayed the same over the years and Phyllis has filled it with love and wonderful memories.  Being a homemaker was her specialty.  She sewed clothes and patched many levis, quilted and tied many beautiful quilts, canned, baked and made delicious meals.  The kitchen table was a place to gather and enjoy those meals along with the company of family and friends.  Birthdays with Phyllis’s homemade from scratch birthday cakes were celebrated there.  Many enjoyed her homemade bread, jam, fresh tomatoes from the garden and fried eggs.  She loved sharing her homemade bread, cookies and meals with others in her community.

Phyllis lived a life of service to her family, friends, church and community.

Phyllis used traditions to keep the family close.  Since 1978 the family has gathered for a week together at Bear Lake.  Many Easter Saturdays the family spent together on the dryland for a wienie roast.  She made Thanksgivings and Christmas a special family time.  A birthday card was as reliable as the sunrise.  She never forgot a family members birthday.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and willingly served in many church callings feeling it was a privilege.  She rarely missed a month doing her visiting teaching and grew to love those she visited.  She ended up calling these sisters her ministering angels.   Phyllis was honored to serve in the Provo Temple with her husband as an ordinance worker for over 6 years.  She loved the gospel and her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Phyllis is survived by her 7 children and their spouses, Gregory (Maxine) of Salem, Bonnie (David) of Perry, Sidney (Claire) of Escondido, CA, Rodney (Jill) of Salem, Marvin (Lori) of Salem, Darrell (Diana) of Palo Cedro, CA and Susan (Todd) of Battle Ground, WA.; 32 grandchildren; 94 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; her sister Joan Huntington; sister-in-law Sharlene Money.  She was proceeded in death by her husband, parents, siblings William Money, Rhea Money Jones, George Money, and Eldon Money.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Spring Gardens in Mapleton.  Their loving care and compassion during her stay there for the last year and a half is greatly appreciated.

On Sunday, November 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. there will be a viewing at Walker Funeral Home, 187 S Main, Spanish Fork.   Funeral services will be held Monday, November 18, 2024 at 11:00 at the Salem Church, 60 S Main St, Salem, UT.  There will be a viewing that morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the funeral services.  Interment will be at the Salem City Cemetery immediately following the funeral services.