Luana Turner Christensen

Loa, Utah - Our kind and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, Luana Brinkerhoff Turner Christensen, age 78, died May 2, 2006 at her home in Loa of a heart attack. She was born August 5, 1927 in Bicknell, Utah, a daughter of Willard Alma and Myrtle Irene Burr Brinkerhoff. She grew up in Bicknell, attending the local schools. She married Willis Edwin Turner, after he came home from WWII, November 18, 1946 in the Manti LDS Temple. They lived in Lyman for several years, and then made their home in Loa, where they raised their three sons. Willis was killed April 5, 1984 in a hunting accident near Loa. Luana then married Leonard J. Christensen, a friend of Willis’ from Salina, August 31, 1985 in Loa, Utah. They built a new home in Loa and lived there until he died August 20, 1990. Luana was a life-long resident of Wayne County. She loved the mountains, the valleys and the people. Always a homebody, she didn’t like being away. She was an active member of the LDS Church, serving in all the auxiliaries. She enjoyed doing extraction work in Genealogy and enjoyed the time she worked at the Manti Temple. She currently was called to help with the compassionate services in the Loa, Ward, and enjoyed that calling. She enjoyed her flowers, her home and having her family around her. She was proud of her sons, their wives, and their accomplishments and this carried on with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, too. This past week, Luana was with James and Corinne and their family in Payson and then they met the rest of her family in St. George, visiting and celebrating the return of a grandson, Elder Brooks Bruce Turner, from his mission in Manchester, England. Luana missed Willis very much and longed for the day that they would be together again. After 22 years apart, Mom, you’re with Dad, again. Luana is survived by her three sons: Steven Edwin and Janet L. Turner of West Jordan, UT.; James Kerry and Corinne P. Turner of Payson, UT.; Bruce Willis and Marie N. Turner of Richfield; Leonard’s sons: Lee and Judy Christensen, Lyn and Karlene Christensen, all of Salina; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Bliss and Nina Brinkerhoff of Bicknell; Dale and Leanna Brinkerhoff of Ogden. She was preceded in death by both husbands, Willis and Leonard; a grandson, J.D. Turner; two sisters: Una Blackwood Roberts, Mildred B. Taylor; and a brother, Rollo Brinkerhoff. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 6, 2006 at 1:00 P.M. in the Loa LDS Stake Center. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, Friday evening from 7 to 9 P.M. and at the Stake Center in Loa, Saturday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Lyman Cemetery under the direction of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah