Arden Joseph Christensen

Arden Joseph Christensen, 82, passed away at his home surrounded by family in Santa Clara, Utah, on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. He was born in a little farm house in Goshen, Idaho, on November 27, 1931, the oldest of six children, to Joseph Levon Christensen and Mattie Marie Christensen. As a child, Arden worked and played on his father’s dairy farm, herding sheep and riding his horse, Babe. He attended Firth High School in Firth, Idaho, where he played the trumpet in the school band.  In 1951, Arden joined the U.S. Army, serving in the motor pool in Japan during the Korean War. Upon his return home, he fell in love with Sharon Butler and on October 16, 1953, they were married in the Idaho Falls, Idaho, Temple. Early on, the young couple moved around for work, and with each move, the family continued to grow—Lane, his first-born, arrived, followed by Cindy and Jana.

Arden attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, where he was a sound system tech for the college and a dorm parent for ten college girls.  He then attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he graduated with his BA degree in 1967.  Arden moved the family to Draper, Utah, where he lived for 30 years working for Gates Rubber Company and Battery Warehouse (Exide). In 1990, he retired from his job and drove a school bus for the Murray School District. Nine years later, he and his wife moved to Santa Clara.

A faithful member of the LDS church, Arden served in multiple capacities, including a six-year calling as Bishop. He also served full-time missions at Cove Fort, Utah, Martin’s Cove, Wyoming and Heber Valley Girls Camp, as well as stake missions in the Jordan River Temple and the St. George Temple.

Arden was a man of very few words, fiercely loyal to family and his testimony of the restored Gospel. And his needs were simple: Mountain Dew, chocolate milk and an appliance to fix. So, in honor of our dad, please change the air filter in your furnace and replace any burned-out light bulbs—that drove him nuts. We love you, Dad, and will miss you very much.

Arden is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children: Lane (Elaine) Christensen, Cindy Egan and Jana (Scott) Unice; ten grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Levon and Mattie Marie Christensen, and his brother, Grant.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 9, at 11 a.m. at the LDS chapel located at

3815 Rachel Drive, Santa Clara, Utah.

A visitation will be held that morning, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the chapel. Interment will be at Goshen Cemetery in Goshen, Idaho, on Tuesday, June 10, at 4 p.m. with Military Rites by the David B. Bleak Post #93 assisted by the Idaho Honor Guard. Local arrangements are under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home.

The family wishes to express thanks and appreciation to Leslie Banks with Journey of Hope Hospice for her caring and compassionate support.

Friends and family are invited to share condolences online at

www.SerenityStG.com

. Arrangements are under the direction of Serenity Funeral Home, St. George.