Mary Christophersen

Mary L. Christophersen (Shrum), 88 of Glenns Ferry, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise.

A rosary will be held at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home on Monday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Our Lady of Limerick Catholic Church in Glenns Ferry on Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m. with Father Jerry Funke presiding.

Mary was born to George F. "Skeet" and Gertrude E. Shrum on March 30, 1928, in Glenns Ferry.

Mary attended K-12 school in Glenns Ferry and graduated from Glenns Ferry High School in 1946. She then went on to attend college where she received a B.A. in Art in 1951 from Saint Mary of the Wasatch all-girls' Catholic college in Salt Lake City. While at college, Mary worked for First Federal Bank.

Skeet Shrum and close friend Jim Robertson shared piloting duties, flying Mary to and from college, even though she was fearful of flying. After graduation, she returned to Glenns Ferry where she worked for Idaho Power until her marriage.

Mary was with her aunts Ellen and Marguerite when she met her future husband, Edwynn J. "Chris" Christophersen at the Sturgeon Inn in Glenns Ferry. Chris was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base when they met, and while he was in North Africa, Mary and Chris exchanged love letters nearly every day for three months.

Upon Chris' return, Mary's close friend, Dottie Brown, brought her to meet the crews when they landed. Chris was unaware and completely surprised and elated to see Mary. After nearly a year of courtship, they were married Nov. 26, 1955, in Glenns Ferry.

Through their years of Chris' career in the Air Force, they were stationed in Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; Maxwell AFB, Ala.; Offutt AFB, Neb.; Castle AFB, Calif.; McConnell AFB, Kan.; and lastly Carswell AFB, Texas. She was active in the Air Force Officers Wives Club and helped many families with their troubles at the various Air Force bases they were stationed.

After Chris' retirement from the Air Force in 1974, they moved to Glenns Ferry. Mary was also a devout Catholic her whole life and provided time, care and comfort to many families and friends in their time of need over the years.

In October 1959, Mary and Chris were blessed with their only son, E. Joel Christophersen.

Throughout Mary's life she enjoyed spending time at the family cabin in Ketchum. She was exceptional at watercolor and oil painting and gifted many of her works to family and friends. Mary was known for her exceedingly beautiful handwriting and received numerous compliments over the years.

Mary was a beloved homemaker and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend as well as a favorite aunt, cousin and in-law to many.

Mary is survived by her husband, son and daughter-in-law, Margret; grandchildren Christopher (Quinn, fiancé) and Carleigh (Luke); and two great grandchildren, Presley and Leah; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom she loved deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, "Skeet" and Gertrude Shrum; brothers Paul (Joan) and John (Vanessa); and countless in-laws, aunts, uncles and other family.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise and the numerous friends and family members that called and visited her during her last days.

Donations in Mary's memory can be made to a charity of your choice.