It was during the Korean War, while attending a Book of Mormon study group, that Jeanne met her husband. She eventually married Grant M. Christensen from Delta, Utah. Over the next number of years they worked together to get Grant through dental school with Jeanne working part-time and taking care of the children who numbered four at the time of Grant's graduation.
Eventually, the family moved to Salt Lake City where Grant set up a dental practice and Jeanne became a full-time mother, ultimately of six children. Her natural way of teaching and encouraging her children prepared them to be exceptional parents. This is evident in the large family legacy she leaves behind. Jeanne loved seeing her children and grandchildren, especially the little ones.
Reading, cooking, and gardening were all things Jeanne enjoyed. She took oil painting classes and had an eye for color and composition. She also served her ward in as many ways as she could, from being a part-time pianist to the Relief Society president. She supported her husband in his various callings of leadership. In their later years, Jeanne and Grant were able to take their much longed-for trip to China, which they enjoyed immensely.
Jeanne was born in Sacramento, California. She is preceded in death by her husband, Grant, her father and mother, Herman Alfred and Maude Steinagel, an older brother, James Steinagel, a younger sister, Judy Bayley, and son-in-law Tom Lemmon.
She is survived by her sister JoAnne (and Norm) Challburg, and her brother, Doug Steinagel. Also alive and thriving are her children: Cheryl (Scott) Rasmussen, Steve (Stephanie) Christensen, Michele (Bryce) Atkinson, Mark (Shelley) Christensen, Lee Anne (Robert) McConnell and Zane (Heidi) Christensen. She also leaves behind twenty grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren.
