Mom was born on September 9th, 1918 in Lihue, Hawaii to Elias Torres and Helen Rosado Torres and was the 3rd of thirteen children. Olivia and her siblings worked to support her home and family. Mom married Charles Figueroa (later divorced) and had four children: Charles (died 2006), Joyce, Gladys and Karen. After her divorce, while employed doing laundry for the service men stationed in Hawaii, Mom met William Peter Christiansen. She caught William and his brother trying to combine their laundry in one bag. Mom and Dad fell in love, married and eventually moved to Gunnison, Utah. They later moved to Camp Kearns and bought a home to raise their children. They were blessed with 5 additional boys, Bill, Wayne, Greg, Michael (died in infancy) and Randy. In 1963 her beloved husband, William, died leaving her with children still at home, the youngest a 1 year old. Mom took in foster children to help raise money for her family.
Olivia was a faithful member of the Catholic Church and attended St. Francis Xavier Parrish in Kearns. She participated in the Legion of Mary and was faithful in her duties and service to her Parrish. In 1972 she was blessed by winning a car in a Church raffle, which she truly needed at the time.
Olivia was a true example of service to others. She spent much of her life as a volunteer with the State Department of Human Services. She was recognized for her volunteer service in a 1994 article in the Deseret News. At that time Olivia had been volunteering for 23 years and it was estimated at that time she had donated more than 35,000 hours of service. Olivia was also recognized for her years of volunteer service by Governor Mike Leavitt at a special ceremony on Capitol Hill. Olivia continued to volunteer until she could no longer drive, then she would hop on the bus that picked up seniors (most were younger than her) for lunch and activities. She would then help serve everyone else lunch!
Mom was called “Grandma Skippy” by her grandkids and she taught her family some special things like to always take the stairs, always eat dessert first, and most importantly, always make time to laugh.
Mom was preceded in death by her first and second husbands Charlie Figueroa and William P. Christiansen, also by her sons Charles and Michael Christiansen, sons-in-law J.D. St. Clergy (Karen) and Donald Kobold (Joyce), two daughters-in-law Cathy Christiansen (Wayne) and Janine Christiansen (Greg), three granddaughters Krystal, Julie and Stacy and one grandson Paul.
Olivia is survived by her children, Joyce Kobold, Gladys Tilt (Vic), Karen St. Clergy, Bill Christiansen (Deborah), Wayne Christiansen, Greg Christiansen and Randy Christiansen (Lori). She is survived by 33 grandchildren and we lost count of the great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Services for Olivia will be held on Friday October 12th, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Valley View Funeral Home 4335 W. 4100 S. West Valley City. A viewing will be held in her honor on Thursday evening October 11th from 6-8pm and also Friday morning at 9-10 am at Valley View. Interment will follow the services on Friday at the Valley View Cemetery next door. For condolences, please visit www.valleyviewfh.com.
