L. Wayne Christensen

Our beloved father and grandfather Leonard Wayne Christensen, 94, passed away March 25, 2009 in Shelley, Idaho at the home of his daughter Marsha. 

He was born August 27, 1914 in Shelley, Idaho to Leonard Lorenzo Christensen and Sarah Esther Gardner.  He was the oldest son in a family of nine children.  He attended Shelley schools and after graduation attended ISU.  He was a good student and excelled in mathematics.  

On June 6, 1935 he was married to Virginia Robinson in Idaho Falls.  They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on October 2, 1946.  

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has held many different positions.  He served as a temple ordinance worker for 8 years and loved to attend the temple.  He served a stake mission and was involved in genealogy work.  

He held a responsible position for the Shelley Mexican labor camp.  He farmed and worked at the Lincoln, Blackfoot, and Shelley Sugar factories as a chemist.  He also worked at the AEC (atomic energy site) as an instrument specialist.    He loved anything relating to lab and science.   

He enjoyed sports and especially loved baseball.  He was chosen to play on the all area All Star Team.  He loved to read a good book and loved to put together puzzles.  Wayne loved music.  He enjoyed playing the clarinet and was very good.  He liked to sing and sang in some quartets.  He also enjoyed listening to his children sing. 

Wayne loved to have fun and had a wonderful sense of humor.  He was a wonderful gardener and loved to share his produce with his neighbors.   Wayne loved small children and especially loved spending time with his family. 

He will be remembered for his integrity and his hard work.  

He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia, parents, three brothers and two sisters, a granddaughter and a great granddaughter. 

He is survived by 8 children:  Sharon (Joey) Gardner, Janet (Lloyd) Searle, Marsha (Jesse) Dye, Allan Jay (Donna) Christensen, Vicki (Larry) Bateman all of Shelley; Robert Wayne (Bobbi Jo) Christensen, of Pocatello; Steven Shelley (Jerri) Christensen of Reno, Nevada; and Paula (Curtis) Young of Boise.  He has 55 grandchildren, 97 great grandchildren and 34 great-great grandchildren.  He has two surviving sisters Monta Kidman and Dorothy Kotter and one brother Neldon (Julia) Christensen all of Shelley.  

The family will receive friends Friday evening 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W. Oak in Shelley and Saturday morning from 11:30 – 12:40 a.m. at the Shelley South Stake Center, 675 S. Milton Ave. in Shelley.  Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Shelley South Stake Center.  Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.