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Gerald N. and Florence I. Christiansen mission papers

 Collection — Box: 2, Folder: 16
Identifier: MSS 9100

Scope and Contents

Materials from Gerald N. Christiansen's missionary service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northwestern States Mission and Florence I. Christiansen's missionary service in the Western States Mission, both spanning from 1918 to 1920. Materials include photographs, journals, and assorted books, in addition to various documents from the rest of both Gerald and Florence Christiansen's lives in Idaho dating from 1909-1979. Also contains a missionary weekly report book from David Wheeler, Florence I. Christiansen's father, dated from 1896-1898 in the Southern States Mission.

Dates

  • 1896-1979
  • Majority of material found within 1918-1920

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research. Items kept in cold storage; access requires 24 hours advanced notice. Check with the reference supervisor.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Gerald N. and Florence I. Christiansen mission papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.

Biographical History

David Wheeler (1875-1959) was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States Mission and a farmer in Idaho.

David Wheeler was born January 14, 1875 in North Ogden, Weber County, Utah to Calvin Wheeler and Marian Hutchison Wheeler. On December 4, 1895 David married Ida Weiermann in the Logan Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Logan, Utah. 6 weeks later David left to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1896-1898 for 30 months. Upon his return David worked cutting timber for the expansion of the railroad and then later as a farmer. Together David and Ida had 10 children: Florence Ida, David Leon, Roy Calvin, Lorin Marion, Edward Scott, James, Elnora, Dora, Mearl, and Max William Wheeler. David raised his family in Idaho.

David Wheeler died September 26, 1959 in Pocatello, Bannock County, Idaho and was buried at the Moreland Cemetery in Moreland, Idaho.

Biographical History

Florence Ida Christiansen (1899-1979) was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, mother and wife.

Florence Ida Wheeler was born the 1st of 10 children on December 28, 1899 in Indian Valley, Idaho to David and Ida Weiermann Wheeler. She attended the local schools, achieving 2nd year of high school, the highest her town offered and creating a love of education she would use to teach her children. Florence planned to go to Ricks College, but received a call to be the first sister missionary from the Moreland Ward for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western States Mission from 1918-1920 mostly around Denver, Colorado. She chose to serve her mission instead of college. Less than a year after her return, she married Gerald Niels Christiansen on February 17, 1921 and together they had 9 children: Rex W., Lowell G., Beth; Lois; Clyde, Marva, Howard D., Ida, and DeVar Christiansen.

Florence Ida Wheeler Christiansen died January 21, 1979 in Idaho Falls, Idaho and was buried in Moreland, Idaho.

Biographical History

Gerald Niels Christiansen (1897-1967) was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, father, husband and Idaho farmer.

Gerald Niels Christiansen was born August 31, 1897 in Hyrum, Utah to Danish immigrants, Niels and Lucy Maria McBride Christiansen. When Gerald was just 5, his family moved to Idaho where he would continue to live until his death. Gerald went to Rick’s Academy from 1916-1918 at which point he decided to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 1918-1920, Gerald Christiansen served in the Northwestern States mission, and less than a year after his return, on February 17, 1921, he married Florence Ida Wheeler in the Logan Temple. Together they had 9 children: Rex W., Lowell G., Beth, Lois, Clyde, Marva, Howard D., Ida, and DeVar Christiansen. Gerald raised his family in Moreland, Idaho and provided for them as a farmer. Gerald served in many callings for his church including counselor in the Moreland Ward bishopric for 18 years, various teaching positions, and several others. Gerald also served in his community as a member of the Moreland School Board and secretary and treasurer of the Highline Canal.

On May, 27, 1967, Gerald Niels Christiansen died of a heart attack in his home in Moreland, Idaho and was later buried in the Moreland Cemetery.

Extent

2 oversize folders (0.3 linear ft.)

2 boxes (1 linear ft.)

1 folder (0.05 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Arranged in two series: 1. Gerald N. Christiansen mission papers, 1909-1967. 2. Florence I. Christiansen mission papers, 1918-1979.

Custodial History

Valine Quinn inherited collection from Gary Christiansen, grandson of Gerald Niels and Florence Christiansen. Valine Quinn donated collection in December 2017.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Valine Quinn; December 2017.

Appraisal

Utah and the American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th and 21st Century Western and Mormon Americana development policy, II. B. 5. VI.).

General

The materials where retained in their original order as given by the donor.

Processing Information

Processed; Hayley Gorham, student manuscript processor, and John M. Murphy, curator; 2018.

Title
Register of Gerald N. and Florence I. Christiansen mission papers
Status
Completed
Author
Hayley Gorham
Date
2018 February 14
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States