Carolyn Juanita Christensen, 90, passed away at Harney District Hospital Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. She was born on Dec. 13, 1935 in Jonesboro, Ark., to Joe and Freda Coleman. She was the oldest of three children, including brother, Jerry and sister, Fran.

On Dec. 9, 1965, Carolyn married her best friend and soul mate, Robert Christensen in Reno, Nev., and they were married for 52 years before Bob passed away in 2018.

Carolyn was a mom-first and foremost but also worked outside the home. She worked at Burns Times-Herald many years ago for Dwight Henshaw, The Palace as a waitress and bartender for owner Macy & Orland Osbourne, Co-owned & operated C & B Sanitary with Bob from 1965 until it was sold in 2007.

To escape the cold winters in Harney County, Carolyn and Bob would pack up their motorhome and head south to Arizona, Nevada and Mexico and were joined by many lifelong friends. We always looked forward to the time they would return home and have a big family gathering to eat the huge prawns they always brought back! Carolyn loved to cook and we always enjoyed many delicious meals together. It was usually chaos, but she loved every minute of it! Her love of cooking was passed down to so many of her kids and grandkids that enjoy recreating her special dishes. Holidays, especially Christmas, were chaos as well but it was always filled with love and laughter (and a lot of wrapping paper!) Every important family gathering was captured on camera in front of the legendary stone fireplace that none of us will ever forget.

Bob and Carolyn spent many summers fishing and boating at Lake Owyhee and was joined by family and friends all summer long. The grandkids couldn’t wait to go to Owyhee with Gram and Papa Bob and had so many stories to tell about the shenanigans of her Magnificent 7 – oh how she loved them!!!!!!!

Carolyn loved to watch sports on TV – especially the Oregon teams and the World Series. She also loved to watch Dancing With The Stars and every year would pull out her “score card” and try to pick the winner!

She was a cherished and loyal friend, mentor, confidante, biggest cheerleader, and protector of her family! We always knew we could go to her about anything and would come away feeling better. She taught us to be better people and loved us all unconditionally. She set the bar high on how to be the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-and great-great-grandmother and friend. As a mother, she wore many hats – nurse, chef, housekeeper, provider and even a referee! Once in particular, she was called to the High School to break up a fight between Mike and Randy! Or the time she found out that Mike and Randy put Jeff on a sled and sent him down Pettibone on snowy and icy roads!

We would also like to acknowledge some very special people who helped care for Bob and Carolyn, Teresa, Jan and Terri. We would also like the thank Home, Health & Hospice and everyone at Harney District Hospital. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for caring for them like the family you became to all of us.

A graveside service was held at the Burns Cemetery on Monday Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. and was followed by a celebration of her life at the Valley Golf Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harney County Home, Health & Hospice and/or CAN Cancer.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Bob; mother and father, (Joe and Freda Coleman); sister, (Fran Estep); and step-son (David Christenen).

Carolyn is survived by son, Mike (Beque) Fulton, son, Randy (Myrna) Fulton, son, Jeff (Sharon) Fulton; daughter, Shauna (Matt) Hammon; brother, Jerry (Carol) Coleman; step-daughters, Debbie (Rod) Robertson and Denise Christensen; many numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Such a legacy she leaves behind! She was so loved!!!