LuDean Christensen

LuDean Brown Christensen, 93, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, returned to her heavenly home on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Draper, Utah. She passed peacefully of old age. We are so grateful that we had so much time with her.

LuDean was born in Bicknell, Utah on October 3, 1931, to Rufus Levelle Brown and Lula Sariah Durfey Brown. She was one of twelve children, only two of whom lived past birth. LuDean spent her early years in Bicknell until her family moved to Provo, Utah where she attended Brigham Young Junior High and graduated from Provo High School in 1949.

LuDean married Richard "Dick" Kent Christensen on March 15, 1951, in the Salt Lake Temple. They settled in Taylorsville, Utah and were blessed with three sons - Kary, Greg, and Kim. LuDean was fortunate to live close to her sister (Barbara Brown Crum) for many years and "Aunt Deanie" became like a second mother to her beloved nieces and nephews.

LuDean worked at Hercules from 1961 until she retired in 1989. After retirement, she and Dick were "snowbirds", spending their winters in St George, Utah at Temple View RV Park where they made many lifelong friends. LuDean and Dick enjoyed traveling to their cabin in Francis, Utah and many other places via their motorhome. They even took an Alaskan cruise before Dick passed in 1999. After Dick passed, LuDean continued to travel with friends from the RV Park, attended many shows at the Hale Centre Theatre, traveled to family baby blessings, baptisms and weddings, and spent countless hours tending her immaculate yard and garden.

LuDean held numerous church callings including Relief Society President, chorister, choir director, visiting teacher, and more. She served multiple missions in family history centers and at Church Headquarters. LuDean helped transcribe information on "The Joseph Smith Papers". She also loved serving in the temple. The day after the announcement affirmed that women could witness sealings, LuDean was made a witness. She attended the Jordan River or Oquirrh Mountain temple every Thursday for over 30 years. LuDean couldn't believe that her little Taylorsville was getting its own temple and was so grateful to live long enough to see its completion and attend the open house.

LuDean was known for hosting regular family dinners, her famous clam chowder and clam dip, and taking children and grandchildren to see "The Christmas Carol" at the Hale Centre Theatre. She also enjoyed gardening, crocheting, knitting, and loving her many friends and family members unconditionally. Most of LuDean's grandchildren lived with her at some point, and they all knew that they could find safety in her arms and in her home whenever they needed it.

LuDean is survived by her two living sons: Greg (Sue), Kim ; her ten grandchildren: Jessica (Greg), Jeremy (Brenda), Daniel (Jenn), Travis (Carlie), Tyler (Harley), Amanda (Maurice), Rials (Christopher), Davis (Julia), Christopher (Crystal), Sierra (Braydon); and her twelve great-grandchildren: Alenna, Kaiden, Evan, Damian, Zaiden, Elizabeth, Easton, Cohen, Dezmond, Deal, Aspyn, Liam. LuDean was preceded in death by her parents, sister, husband, and son, Kary.