Melanie Rebecca Christensen

Melanie was born July 22, 1960, in Salt Lake City, UT, to Kenneth W. Childs and JoAnne Clark Hubbard Childs. She grew up and attended schools in Cedar City, Utah.

Melanie was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed white water rafting, horseback riding, growing flowers, raising chickens and ducks. She loved the outdoors.

She was generous, funny, and had a lot of imagination. Her son, David wrote:

“I think in our lives, we all go through seasons, and seasons are forever changing-the highs, the lows-from being on top of the mountains to being down in the valleys. Before reconciliation, before reclamation, be sure: knowing who we are, before standing tall for ourselves and our family. Something has to die in order for new life to begin. This is a new season, a new start.”

Melanie is survived by her sisters, Kathy Gilrey (Donn), of Rowlette, TX; Melissa Guthrie (John) of Hermiston, OR; Cindy Adkins (Mic) of Turney, MO; Celestia Schwab (Kerry) of Carrolton, TX; Brother, Joel Childs (Amie) of Salt Lake City, Ut; son, David Childs of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Naomi Gerken (Anthony) of Redwing, MN; 12 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth W. Childs; mother, JoAnne Clark Hubbard Childs; brothers, Kenneth F. Childs; Daniel Clark Childs; Joseph Mark Childs; and daughter Gabriel Lee Wilkinson.

Private family services will be held at a later date in West Valley City, Utah.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.valleyviewfuneral.com