Emilee Kristine Christensen

Emilee “Lee” Kristine Christensen, 72, of Santaquin, Utah passed away on June 9, 2026 in Payson, Utah due to complications of end stage renal disease. Lee was born on October 5, 1953 in Payson, Utah to Michael Beveridge Christensen and Marjorie Blanche Painter Christensen. Lee joined the family as the youngest, joining a sister Glenys Blanche Christensen McKell and a brother, Michael “Dennis” Christensen.

Lee attended primary school in Santaquin, Utah and then took a bus to the “big city” of Payson, Utah for high school. After graduating she went to Utah Trade Technical Institute to become a Medical Secretary. At that time she moved to Springville, Utah with friends until she moved back home to help her parents as her dad’s health was failing. She worked for Dr. Mark Udall for 5 years, Springville Medical Center for 10 years and then at Cherry Tree Family Practice with Dr. Preston in Orem, Utah for 30 years until she retired.

Lee was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, baptized as a child and then as soon as she was able to receive her endowment in the Provo Temple. She loved attending the temple and visited as many as she could as she travelled. She served in many callings in the church including Primary and Ward Chorister, with the Young Women and in the Stake Relief Society. She loved music, especially the Primary songs.

Lee loved being an Aunt, Great Aunt and Great Great Aunt. As soon as she heard a new baby was joining the family she started crocheting a set of burp cloths and receiving blankets. And if it was a girl baby she made beaded socks. She loved to crochet, sharing her talent with friends, family, ward members, and the dialysis center just to name a few. Lee’s greatest love beside the gospel was her family. Her nieces and nephews, their spouses and children meant so much to her. She was blessed with 5 nieces and 2 nephews by her sister and 1 niece and 4 nephews by her brother. The next generation brought over 30 more nieces and nephews and the next generation is still growing. Her great joy was hearing how the “kids” were doing. She was a lifelong BYU fan of all sports, but especially football and basketball, where the family had season tickets for years. If BYU lost it was never the teams fault, but always the refs who “beat them”.

Lee was preceded in death by her father in 1996, her mother in 2007, her sister in 2021 and her brother in 2025.

Lee was grateful to all who helped to care for her in these last years, especially the staff at Davita Health in Salem. And to all the neighbors, friends, and ward members who helped care for her in her last days, the family is truly grateful.

The family extends their gratitude to Sandy and Alan Gurney for their countless hours of service attending to Lee.

Services will be held Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 11:00 am the Santaquin North Stake Center, 545 North 200 East Santaquin, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday morning from 9:30 - 10:45 am at the church prior to services. Interment, Santaquin City Cemetery.