Ralph Gene Christensen's Obituary
Ralph Gene Christensen, 90, passed away peacefully in his home on the evening of January 31, 2023 surrounded by family. He was born in Moscow, Idaho on March 22, 1932 to Bernice Taylor and Chester Wayne Christensen. Ralph will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and veteran who loved his country.
Ralph was the oldest of four children and loved his siblings, Colleen, Mark and Dianne. He spent his early years in Idaho and Colorado, until his father moved the family to Detroit, Michigan where Ralph enjoyed playing football, basketball and ran track for his school teams.
Upon graduation, Ralph left for Utah to attend Brigham Young University. On college break he spent a summer working at the Cadillac Motor Company. He enlisted in the Air Force and later joined the Navy and completed flight training. During the Korean War, he served for four years on active duty spending time in Florida, Okinawa, Japan and the Philippines. Twelve additional years were spent in the ready reserves. He retired as a Major in the Marine Corps. He served his country with honor and pride and was often wearing a military veteran baseball cap.
In 1959 he graduated from BYU with a degree in Microbiology. He took a job in Sacramento, California working as a public health microbiologist. This is where he met his sweetheart, Janice at a church Halloween dance. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage on August 17,1960 where they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They spent their early years of marriage in California, until he accepted a job at the Detroit City Health Department in Michigan. He was later hired by the US Public Health Service to do pollution studies on the Great Lakes and welcomed two children, Brad and Judy Lynn.
Ralph exemplified a strong work ethic which he passed on to his children. In 1968 he was hired by the US Environmental Protection Agency in water pollution control where he played a major role in the cleanup of the Great Lakes. The family moved to Chicago, Illinois where they added two more children, Lori and Greg and would spend the next 22 years. Ralph loved his time in Chicago.
Ralph served in many capacities as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as a bishop and high-councilor. He was an avid scout leader and was a recipient of the distinguished Silver Beaver Award. He also served as Executive Secretary to four bishops and enjoyed two stake missions. Directing and playing music in church meetings became a favorite calling. His beautiful choir voice could be heard from the back of the chapel. Serving the members of his ward and community provided him great joy.
In November 1990, Ralph retired and moved with Janice to Huntsville, Utah to be closer to family. They would spend the next 30 years in their beautiful home that was built on 6 acres. He planted and hand watered 96 trees on their lane and was delighted when his grandchildren joined him for lunch. He raised calves, sang in quartets and enjoyed serving in the Ogden Temple as an Ordinance worker.
Ralph and Janice sold their Huntsville home in 2019 and downsized to a wonderful community in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He enjoyed going on walks around the oval with his great-grandchildren and watching his grandchildren raise their families. You could always find him enjoying a sports game or watching the digital picture frame of changing photos posted by family members. Ralph had many hobbies including ping-pong and writing poetry. He had a quick wit and fun sense of humor. He enjoyed dancing, playing the piano, harmonica and ukulele. His famous homemade spaghetti sauce was requested often by family. He could drive for hours across the countryside listening to his favorite country music artists. Ralph enjoyed a good Snickers bar and always had extra to share.
The joy of Ralph’s life was his family. He is survived by his wife Janice; four children: Brad (Alison) Christensen, Judy Lynn (Kerry) Duffy, Lori (Dana) Facemyer and Greg Christensen; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, with 2 on the way; and his sister Dianne (Arthur) Clarke.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2023 from 10-11:30 am at the Grove 8th ward chapel located at 1136 West 700 South, Pleasant Grove, UT. There will be a graveside service at Camp Williams.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to DIGNITY Home Health Hospice for their loving care of Ralph. In lieu of flowers, those who desire may make a donation to their local VA in his memory.
Please visit https://www.premierfuneral.com/obituaries/ to leave a memory.
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