An angel has left our midst and she will be deeply missed.
Lulu Christensen arrived March 10, 1914, the fourth of eight children born to Florence and William Christensen in the small town of Ephriam, Utah.
Lulu found happiness in singing, and sing she did, even to the corn stalks. At the age of 5 she won a county contest, which cast her forever in a love for music and performing. She learned all the songs of the day and entertained locally, but her chance came at the age of 18 to begin a singing career. For the next 13 years she sang at weddings, nightclubs, the USO and over KSL radio as Joyce Palmer.
John (Jack) Salmon caught her eye, courting her until they were married in 1934. Their family grew to include six children, and Lulu happily ended her career to be a full-time mother.
She was a mother of the heart; preparing beautiful meals, canning, sewing and serving her family where love could be found in abundance. Jack passed away in 1964 and Lulu worked as a telephone operator at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island to help provide for the family.
Lulu married Robert P. McDaniels in 1970 and felt she was lucky in love twice. They enjoyed 32 years together until his death in 2002.
Lulu was a true optimist, laughed easily and was generous in spirit. She shared her talents freely and immensely enjoyed her wonderful friends.
She leaves behind a posterity of more than 95 with five on the way, which she felt was her true legacy. Her children include Sally Salmon, J. Douglas (Marjorie) Salmon, Marjorie (Jack) Bailey, Linda (Nick) Niccum, Fred (Tracey) Salmon and Byron Salmon.
She also leaves two sisters, Jackie Killpack and Elida Gray and three stepchildren, Jerilyn (Mel) Fairbanks, Robert (Lisa) McDaniels and Jack (Phyllis) McDaniels.
What makes a Home?
I asked my children,
And this is what they said:
You Mother, And when father comes,
Our table set all shiny,
And my bed,
And Mother, I think it’s home
Because we love each other.
Mother you have been a woman of faith, an example of strength, a light in the window, comfort and race. You have shared our tears and joys, encouraged us upward and you will continue to be our memory of love. Fly homeward angel!
A celebration of Lulu’s life and past will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 in the LDS Church, 201 NE O’Leary St., Oak Harbor. Bring a memory and a potluck dish to share.
