Else Christine Pederson Olson Christensen

When Else was a small child, a severe sickness caused a high fever.  Sores broke out all over her head, face, neck and eyes.  When the fever subsided, she was left totally blind.  Doctors said her eyes would never open again.  

Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to their city of Starrup, Denmark.  Elsie's father heard them speak.  He was deeply impressed and invited them to his home.  Young Elsie was given a blessing by the missionaries and through the faith and prayers of the family, her sight was restored.  The family joined the Church and their lives were changed forever.

Immediately they were ostracized and persecuted.  The girls had to withdraw from school and their father was forced to sell his business.  They decided to join the Saints in Utah.

The voyage had many hardships and challenges.  There was a terrible outbreak of measles among the children and between thirty and forty died and were buried at sea.  Elsie and her sisters survived.

They arrived in Salt Lake around September 23, `862. , and settled with the Danish immigrants in Fort Ephraim.  They lived in a dugout inside the fort and planted crops outside the walls in the fields to supply food for themselves and their animals.

Else was sixteen years old when she became the third wife of James Olson, 1869.  James was called on a mission, became very ill, came home and died shortly thereafter.  Elsie was left a widow with five children to support.

In 1889, she married Anders Christensen.  She and Anders had eighteen happy years together.

Children with James Olsen:

Boy, 1870 (died in 1870)

Sarah, 28 February 1871

Lehi, 9 July 1873

Elisabeth, 18 August 1875

Lorenzo, 8 January 1882

Children with Anders Christian Christensen:

Theodocia Katherine, 8 June 1890

Alma Jerome (Willie), 8 June 1890 (died the day of birth)

James Lavar, 20 July 1892

Violet Gene, 24 September  1894

Calvin J., 7 March 1897

(Source: Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, Volume 1 A to E, International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers, p. 567)