Shirley Florence (Cook) Christensen

Shirley Florence Christensen, 81, of Idaho Falls, passed away August 23, 2022, at Lincoln Court. She was under the care of both the staff at Lincoln Court and the care of One Source Hospice.

Shirley was born on October 30, 1940, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Shirley Rocker Cook and Eva Frances Marie Hibbeln Cook. She grew up in the Leslie and Mackay areas.

Shirley met and married Patrick Lee Christensen in Sierra Vista, Arizona. They had three children, William Rocker, Patrick Thomas, and Sherrie Ann.

While Pat served overseas, Shirley earned her cosmetology license and raised the kids. As the kids grew older, Shirley began to work at Helen’s Hair Salon in Boise, Idaho, where she loved meeting new people and building her clientele.

Shirley was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She and her husband served two CES missions for the church in Florida and Nevada, and also served as Addiction Recovery missionaries. Shirley loved genealogy and helped many people research their ancestors as a Stake Genealogy Librarian. Helping others was Shirley’s greatest gift, whether it was her love for seminary,  serving in the temple, sewing, or teaching how to do family history.

Shirley is survived by her three children: son, William Rocker Christensen of Butler, PA; son, Patrick Thomas (Cyndie) Christensen of Featherville, ID; daughter, Sherrie Foist of Avon, IN; 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Shirley Rocker and Eva Frances; her beloved husband, Patrick Lee Christensen; and her son-in-law, Timothy Neil Foist.

Funeral Services will be held at 12 Noon Saturday, September 3, 2022, at the Idaho Falls Home Ranch Ward, 2051 Emerson, with Bishop Jeff Westfall officiating. The family will visit with friends from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.