Merlin Hugh Christiansen was born March 30, 1924 in Emery, Utah to John Julius and Mary Kirstena Jorgensen Christiansen. His dad was a sheepherder and he spent every summer in the mountains helping his dad. He has lived in Emery most of his life.
Christiansen served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in New Caledonia, in the Pacific, as a medic in Navy hospital No. 6 in the New Hebrides Islands, now known as Vanuatu. He returned home from the war and met his sweetheart, the new girl in town, Jean Crook. They were married on September 6, 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Jean passed away October 2, 2003. Together, they raised a family of nine: Nancy (Tom Parry), Rene’ (David Dalley), Scott (Karelyn), Glenys (Lannie Sitterud). Ken (Earlene), Karla (Kerry Powell), Marie (Louis VanderHerp), Becky (Jed Allred), and John.
Merlin was a farmer, ran a dairy and worked in the coal mines. He was a hard worker and he provided well for his family. Merlin is a deeply patriotic man who instilled a love for his country in his children and grandchildren, who love to hear his stories of his service.
He has 38 grandchildren and 97 great-grandchildren.