Rynda Iris Christensen

Rynda Iris McKinney Christensen, 66, returned to her Father in Heaven on Sunday, December 14, 2014, from her home in Goodlettsville, TN, after a 12-year valiantly fought battle with thyroid cancer. She was born March 26, 1948 in Sacramento, CA to Ken and Carol McKinney, their firstborn. Her father died in 2002 and her mother is 86 and lives with her daughter Debra in Price UT. Rynda has three sisters and one brotherDari Norman Davis, Hollywood, MD; Debra Allen Henrie, Price, UT; Kenna Jonathon Onoman, Taylorsville, UT; Bruce McKinney, Monticello, UT. She married Peter Louis Christensen June 3, 1967 in the St. George LDS Temple, St. George, Utah and they were married for 47 ½ years. They were blessed with six daughters, Trisha Mark Lorenzen, West Jordan, UT; Christie David DeWeerd, Midlothian, TX; Cindi Jones, Gallatin, TN; Valerie Christensen deceased 1995; Hollie Christensen, Aztec, NM; and Jessica Ridden, Goodlettsville, TN. Rynda was also blessed with 10 grandsons and five granddaughters: Bryan, Tanner, Brandon, Tyler and Savanna Lorenzen; Mercedes Esquibel; Hailee, Ashley, and Paige Jones; Jr. Sanchez, Adam Delgado, Xavier Sanchez and an unborn grandson due in March 2015; and Austin and Chandler Ridden. She lived in Lahore, Pakistan from 1960 to 1965, where her senior year was interrupted with evacuation back to Sacramento due to war between India and Pakistan. She attended the first part of her senior year at Encina High School, Sacramento, CA and the second part of her senior year at Lemoore High School, Lemoore, CA, graduating in 1966. While in Pakistan she did the artwork for the yearbook, Yaden, and served as sophomore class secretary-treasurer. She loved studying art history at Dixie Jr. College in St. George, UT, where she met and married her husband, Pete. They eventually settled in Farmington, NM where they raised their family. Rynda was known for her beautiful plants, gardens, and her home business, Rynda’s Fabric Stuff, where she created fine handcrafted baskets, albums, boxes, frames, and collectable dolls. She won numerous ribbons at the San Juan County fairs for her fabric creations. She began classes towards a nursing degree at San Juan College, Farmington, NM, graduating Cum Laude in 1995, and was recognized as a member of Phi Theta Kappa Nationally Acclaimed Honor Fraternity for Community Colleges. After graduation her career began as a labor and delivery nurse at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, NM. In 1998 Pete and Rynda moved to Orem, UT where Rynda worked at Timpanogos Regional Hospital, Hospital Corporation of America HCA hospital. In 2000 Rynda transferred to the computer side of nursing and worked as coordinator of both the patient care documentation module and the order entry module. Rynda transferred to Nashville, TN and worked at both the corporate level of HCA and at Skyline Hospital in the Nashville area. Her most recent title was Division Clinical Specialist, HCA, Inc – Tri Star Division, where she retired November 30, 2014. She was recipient of Clinical Support Nursing Excellence Award, was nominated for Skyline Medical Center’s Frist Humanitarian Award, and received numerous recognitions for providing excellent services from both her coworkers and patients. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and always loved and served others. Through the years she served as Relief Society counselor and president, Young Women camp leader on ward and stake levels, visiting teacher, and teacher in Primary and Relief Society. She and Pete also served as directors of the Bishop’s Storehouse in Nashville, TN for several years. The family wishes to thank Alive Hospice for their tender help in caring for Rynda, especially for Lisa, aide, and Julie Randall, nurse, who both personally cared for her until her passing. Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Goodlettsville Ward, 107 Twin Hills Dr., Madison, TN on Friday evening December 19. Displays and opportunities for you to reminisce will be at 5:00 pm with services in the chapel at 6:00 pm. Services will also be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 8th Ward, 4400 College Boulevard Farmington, NM on Saturday December 27 at 10:00 am with interment with her daughter, Valerie, at Greenlawn Cemetery, Farmington, NM following. Cremation Society of Tennessee is in charge of the arrangements. You may send your condolences to the family at www.cremationsocietyoftn.com.