Bernice Ann Christiansen Baugh

Bernice Ann Christiansen Baugh, a lovely, talented, and extraordinary woman, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and valiant Latter-day Saint, died May 1, 2015, in Herriman, Utah, at the age of eighty-eight from causes incident to age.

She was born on July 18, 1926, in the family home in Nephi, Utah, to Aaron P. and Alice M. Christiansen. Bernice was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 29, 1934, in the Manti Temple. In December 1939, her family moved to Logan, Utah. It was here, in an eighth-grade class that Bernice first met Francis Baugh. They were seated alphabetically, and since Francis’s last name started with a B and Bernice’s with a C, they sat near each other. While attending junior high and high school, Bernice and Francis’s friendship grew as they participated in numerous choral, theatrical, and musical productions together.

Following graduation from Logan High School in 1944, Bernice attended Utah State, while Francis served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific theater for two years. At Utah State, Bernice was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, the Buzzer staff (Utah State’s yearbook), Chansonettes, Spurs, Theta Alpha Phi, and Alpha Eta Mu (national honorary societies). During her senior year she was the Associated Women Students representative. She also played leading roles in the theatrical productions Bohemian Girl, Papa Is All, and Carmen. She graduated from Utah State in 1948 with a BS in English and library science and a minor in music.

After the end of WWII, Francis and Bernice resumed their courtship. They were married and sealed on September 3, 1948, in the Logan Temple by ElRay L. Christiansen, Bernice’s uncle.

While Francis enjoyed a thirty-seven-year career in USU’s Purchasing Department (1952–1989), Bernice enjoyed a twenty-six-year professional vocation as a librarian in USU’s Merrill-Cazier Library (1963–89). In 1983, she received the Distinguished Employee of the Year award from the university. However, USU meant more to them than just employment. Not only did they cherish the friendships and associations fostered among the USU community, but over the years Bernice and Francis took great satisfaction attending and participating in the numerous educational, theatrical, musical, athletic, and alumni functions sponsored by the university and the Logan Institute of Religion. Taking the phrase “Show me a true blooded Aggie from Utah” from USU’s spirit song (“The Scotsman”), one need only to point to Bernice and Francis.

In the community, Bernice actively participated in American Legion Auxiliary Post 12, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, the Belletrist and Clerisy literary clubs, the Century Dinner Club, the Northern Utah Choral Society, and civic and church-sponsored musical and theatrical productions. Bernice and Francis were also associated with a study group, composed of former schoolmates and friends, who met the first Sunday evening of each month to discuss the principles of the restored gospel. The group continued to meet until 2011—some fifty-three years.

Bernice was a “full-blooded Dane” and proud of her Mickelson and Christiansen Danish ancestry and Scandinavian heritage. “The Danish make the best Latter-day Saints,” she remarked. Throughout her life she remained closely connected to her cousins, uncles, aunts, and extended relatives. She was inspired by the sacrifices of her ancestors who accepted the gospel in Denmark, immigrated to Utah, and remained faithful and committed members of the Church. Bernice recognized the responsibility she had to compile, organize, and preserve her family history for future generations, a task she engaged in her entire life. She epitomized the scriptural promise that “the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers” (D&C 2:2).

Bernice served in the Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society auxiliaries, but found the most fulfillment in her music callings. From 1991 to 1994, Bernice and Francis served as officiators in the Logan Temple, and from 1994 to 1995 they served a full-time mission on Temple Square.

Those who knew Bernice could easily recognize she possessed the greatest of all spiritual gifts—charity, the pure love of Christ. She loved all people and felt the need to serve and give to others. While family, friends, and neighbors were the most common recipients of her generosity, no one was outside her reach. She had particular compassion for those who were single or divorced, widows, the elderly, foreign students attending the university, and even the homeless. To these individuals she not only opened her heart, but also her home and her table. Her sweet personality, kindhearted nature, and gentle disposition brightened the lives of many struggling and sorrowful souls. She exemplified the Savior’s teaching to “remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple” (D&C 52:40).

Bernice and Francis established a gospel-centered home centered on faith in Jesus Christ and a testimony of the restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith and living prophets. Their home was marked by family prayer, family home evening, Sabbath-day observance, temple covenants and worship, service to others, and the gentle strains of sacred music and beautiful melodies. Together they created a home filled with peace and joy, but most of all love.

Bernice and Francis were the parents of six children: Alice Mae B. Lemon (Douglas), currently serving an LDS mission in Oslo, Norway; Francis (Frank) H. Baugh IV (deceased); Jan B. Marsh (James), South Jordan; Alexander L. Baugh (Susan), Highland; David C. Baugh (Sheila), Layton; and Aaron R. Baugh (Sheri), West Jordan. They had twenty-four grandchildren and thirty-seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Don P. Christiansen (brother), Melba C. Jensen (sister), Francis H. Baugh III (husband), Francis (Frank) H. Baugh IV (son), and Emma M. Lemon (great-granddaughter).

A viewing will be held on Thursday evening, May 7, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Logan 5th Ward at 502 North 300 East. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at the Logan 5th Ward, where a viewing will also be held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery.