LouEtta Robison Christiansen

LouEtta Robison Christiansen passed away March 6, 2025 at her home in Idaho Falls, Idaho; born the third child to Lind and Grace Darling (Seely) Robison on November 24, 1929 in Archer, Idaho. She grew up enjoying farm life with her siblings and extended Robison family nearby and was happiest when they were together on adventures to fish, pick berries and enjoy the great outdoors. Being with grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and close friends made her childhood happy.

She attended Archer Elementary and Madison High School in Rexburg. She gained her testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ at this time of her life and never turned away from testimony of God and his prophets, especially Joseph Smith and David O. McKay. In her early years, LouEtta learned her lifetime love of sewing and quilting. Industrious in both her spiritual growth and developing talents, she was sewing her own clothes by 6th grade. At least once a week, every week of high school and college, she would sew a new outfit or article of clothing. During these years she saw the Great Depression, the end of WWII and watched her grandfather host German POWs to work on his beet farm.

After high school LouEtta went to Rick’s College (now BYU-I) to study English, where she developed a lifelong love of avidly reading and learning; habits she enjoyed everyday of her life. After LouEtta’s Freshman year of college, she chose to serve a mission in the Midwest States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While there she recognized one fellow missionary as a young man who had “caught her eye” when she watched him perform a skit at college. That young man would become her future husband, Hyrum James (Jim) Christiansen from Ashton, Idaho. A mutual love for the gospel brought them together and kept them together for the next 72 years.

Jim and LouEtta met again after returning from their time as missionaries and married in the Idaho Falls Temple for eternity. They brought 7 children into a home that was gospel focused, humble and faithful.

LouEtta’s industry and willingness to support her family seemed to have no bounds. Along with raising her children, she also served in every auxiliary of the church including as president of both the Relief Society and Primary, and as a Temple Worker. She was extremely talented at speaking and teaching, but her real talent was seeing to the well-being of the “lost sheep.” Her secret and loving service touched more lives than can be counted; in fact, if you are reading this, your life was probably changed because of her actions. Later in life, LouEtta and Jim served as a Senior Mission Couple in the New Hampshire Mission for the Church.

Mom’s greatest love and mastery was her gardening. No one entered the little town of Aberdeen, Idaho, from the South without noting the inviting and neat flower gardens, vegetable crops and fruit trees of the first house in town. Everything grew and seemed to testify of God’s love for His children, because of the beauty she made, which surrounded us. LouEtta never stopped growing plants and teaching others about this favorite hobby. Like all masters, she shared her talent and knowledge for the benefit of future generations. One of her favorite things to do was harvest tomatoes and share “starts” so others would enjoy what she loved so much.

In the winter besides knitting, crocheting and tatting, LouEtta would quilt. She made hundreds of quilts of every kind, some of which won awards for her fantastic hand stitching and perfect finishes. She also did hundreds of tied blankets. Dozens of unfinished quilts still sit on the floor of her dedicated “quilt room”.

Until the day she passed, Mom was surrounded by the hope of future blossoms of flowers and the comfort of hugs made from thread and cloth. Her plants in the seasons of growing and her quilts in the seasons of giving comfort occupied her long life for over 95 years. They are important parts of her legacy, but the most important part is her faithful testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savior. These are the things that enriched her life so that she could so richly bless others.

LouEtta is survived by her husband Jim, children- Valerie (John) Hoybjerg, Todd ( Lori Wolf), Joey ( Bonny Baxter), Phil ( Emily Dodge), Shelli ( Jay) Van Orden, and Jared ( Alison Duffin), 25 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her son Chad.

LouEtta was laid to rest at the Aberdeen Cemetery. To share condolences, memories, and photos, please visit DavisRoseMortuary.com.