Christina Knutsdotter Beckstrand

Biography

Christina experienced difficulties as a child in Denmark, such as enduring a famine or losing both parents at a young age. Left to care for her two younger brothers, she became a hired servant. Christina also learned to read, speak, and write both Danish and Swedish. Years later while still working, she met and fell in love with a fellow servant, Pehr Pehrsson. Their employer disapproved, but they got married and left to have their own home. At age 35, Christina and her husband learned of the gospel and were baptized. Together, they journeyed to America to join the saints and her two brothers who were already there. Christina quickly learned English after arriving. She and Pehr had three daughters and a son together, but their daughters all died tragically at young ages. They then adopted a little girl from Denmark and raised her. She was sealed to them later on.

In 1874, Brigham Young instructed Christina and her family to live the United Order, so they moved to Orderville. Christina learned how to weave and sew everything from quilts and towels to sweaters and wedding dresses. She was well known in her community for her skill. Additionally, Christina and her husband did a lot of temple work. They later moved to Huntington, where Pehr passed away. Christina then died in 1915 at age 89.