Survival was a constant struggle for the peasants of Denmark in the 1850s. At ten years of age, Great-grandmother Karen Marie was sent begging to neighboring villages to put food on her family’s table. But she was able to attend school and was intelligent and resourceful. As a young woman she worked long hours as a dairymaid. She saw no immediate way to change her future until two Danes returned to their native land and taught her family the restored gospel. Her mother and siblings immigrated to Utah in 1862. When their finances were not enough to make the trip together, her boyfriend sent her on to “the promise land” alone. In 1868 she survived a very unpleasant passage on the last “sailing” ship commissioned by the Church. Then she traveled with the last Church-commissioned wagontrain into the Utah Territory. But life does not always go as planned. When she arrived in Utah, she found he mother had remarried and their was now place for her in the small home. She felt compelled to accepted a proposal of marriage from Niels Christian Christensen, giving up the boyfriend who arrived over a year later. Through the years Karen Marie and Niels Christian Christensen developed a fine dairy and farm. Niels worked the land and handled the livestock; Karen Marie helped milk the cows, until the children were old enough to take over, and tended to the house chores and her flower garden. She grew a beautiful garden full of irises, pansies, and hollyhocks. She Niels Christian had eleven children—six of whom made it to adulthood. Great-grandmother went by the first name of Carolyn during her life in Hyrum. In her later life, a series of strokes took their toll on Karen Marie’s mind as well as her body. And in this state, it was at the gate that Karen Marie often stood and looked longingly down the empty road.

KAREN MARIE SORENSON: On March 25, 1868, Niels Christian Christensen, then 24 years old, married Karen Marie Sorenson, who came to America as a convert to the Church at a time after the arrival of those in the large company who left May 2, 1860. Karen Marie had come to Hyrum, Utah, to be with her mother, Karen Sorenson, who had left Denmark earlier. Niels Christian and Karen Marie were the parents of 11 children: Christian H. and a twin brother or sister who died at birth — were born November 17, 1869; Caroline Marie — born March 8, 1871; Ana Christine — born July 27, 1873; Emma Hedevigd — born January 16, 1875; Peter — born December 28, 1876; Henry — born May 18, 1878; Nephi — born December 9, 1880; Willard Richard — born January 26, 1883; James 0. — born March 20, 1884; John —born February 18, 1886. Niels Christian was a man of great faith. He seemed to be especially gifted with the power of healing and was called upon to administer to the sick often. Night or day, he was ready to give this service. He maintained a small home and a small farm, as well as purchased land in Hyrum College Ward which was about 15 miles to the northwest of Hyrum. He was always grateful for his condition in life and felt he had plenty for his own and some to share with widows who were in need. Each time he exchanged wheat for flour at the mill, he always found a place for a few sacks before he reached home with his share. His desire was always to be a devoted member of the Church. He was one who wanted praise, he was just a quiet, humble servant. He was considerate of everyone’s needs, even driving along the road he would pull of for others to pass in safety. He was a hard worker who spent long hours on the farm; not always doing his own work, hut helping anyone he met who was in need. Ever since he joined the Church, he worked with zeal and energy for the advancement of truth among his fellowmen. He would often walk several miles out of Hyrum to work on the church farm. He would take a lunch, and at noon, he would wash his face and hands and ask blessing on the food and then eat. His life span was 61 years. He underwent an operation for a hernia and did not survive the anesthesia. In those days, doctors were not as skilled, nor did they have favorable conditions for their patients. The operation was performed in the home. He died April 1, 1905 in Hyrum, Utah. This was a great shock to the family as he had always been so active. At the time of his demise, he held the office of High Priest. (The picture of Niels Christian Christensen seated with his family is super imposed. Irven Christensen said that if it were true to life he would be much larger.)