Ethel June Jeppsen Christopherson, 83, of Idaho Falls and formerly of Union, died June 16 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Idaho Falls Eagle Rock LDS Stake Center, 2020 S. Charlotte Dr. with Bishop Anthony Passino.
The family will visit with friends one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at Milo Cemetery. Coltrin Mortuary in Idaho Falls is in charge of arrangements.
June was born Feb. 11, 1925, to Ethel Mirriam North and Cleon Jeppsen in Brigham City, Utah. On June 29, 1943, she married Ernest William Christopherson in Donald. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.
June was a staunch member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with full belief, commitment and testimony. June and Ernie served two full-time missions, one in the Idaho Falls, Taylor Mountain Stake and the other in the Payson, Utah, Mountain View Stake.
Besides Idaho Falls, June also lived in Union, The Dalles and Mattawa, Wash., with her family. She had friends in dozens of places.
June loved flowers, gardening, sewing and most of all music. Her pantry was full of products preserved from her gardening labors.
Concerned for the physical and spiritual health of people she knew, June often cut articles from the paper and sent them to the one in need. She never missed a loved one’s birthday, sending her love in a card or letter. She loved to receive cards from friends and family and saved every one.
Survivors include children, Sherry and her husband, Ted Bohn, of Idaho Falls, Connie and her husband, Max Barnum, of Payson, Utah, Neal and his wife, Pam Christopherson, of Hermiston, Ron and his wife, Natalie Christopherson, of Ephrata, Wash., Wendy Works of Kalispell, Mont., and Greg and his wife, Jolene Christopherson, of Honolulu; 30 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; and five foster children.
Her siblings, who thought of her as a second mother, are Mae Fleming, Dick, Del, Danny and Virgil Jeppsen, who all preceded her in death. Three sisters survive June: Ruth Winzler of Moses Lake, Wash., Colleen DuRette of Salem and Barbara and her husband, Darwin Fergus, of Dayton.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com .
La Grande Observer – June 19, 2008