Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Marsha (Christenson) James, 79, of West Valley, Utah, returned home to be with her Heavenly Father. She is now reunited with her sweet husband and her grandson. She fought a courageous battle against a long serious medical condition. She passed away right after the New Year.

She had the opportunity to live with Faith, her granddaughter, and Megan Holm and enjoyed every minute in their home filled with love and laughter in Utah. She could not have fought the battle with her condition without their constant love and support.

Marsha was born in Rexburg, Idaho, on June 6, 1936, to Oscar Claude and Phyllis (Hix) Christenson.

She attended schools in Rexburg, finishing high school with high honors. She attended a local beauty college and got her certification. She met William "Bill" James, and after only 10 days, they got married July 5, 1956. Bill was a local band leader, and she was hired to be the lead female vocalist singing in harmony to his strong beautiful male voice. It was love at first sight for them both.

They moved to Pocatello, Idaho, because of Bill's musical career and while there had their children, Christie (Wallace) Rees and William Paul James.

Marsha was proceeded in death by her parents and one brother, Michael Christenson; her husband of over 50 years, William "Bill" James, a local radio and television broadcasting personality, and her first born grandson, Tegan Rees.

Marsha sold Avon door-to-door, worked as a bookkeeper for a local sign company and finally retired from the State of Idaho in the child protection department after many years of valiant service.

She was passionate about her animals, having once had over 12 cats and three dogs, all at the same time. She loved reading mystery books, loved watching Colombo on the television, and she had quite the collection of purses/coats/shoes. She could usually guess who the murderer was before the end of the book or before the end of the television show.

She is survived by her children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

There will be a private family celebration of life party instead of a formal funeral service. She wanted to be remembered for living life to the fullest and did not want anyone to be sad that she returned to be with her family in heaven. She will be greatly missed as she had an infectious laugh and beautiful bright blue eyes full of mischief as was her sense of humor.



Published in Post Register Jan. 8, 2016