Wesley Brigham Christensen

Wesley B. Christensen, 89, died April 21, 2006. From this life, he peacefully passed surrounded by his family who loved him dearly.

Wesley was born July 15, 1916, in Shelley, Idaho, to Leonard Lorenzo and Sarah Gardner Christensen. He grew up and attended schools in Shelley. His extended schooling included the College of Southern Idaho and Utah State.

On March 4, 1942, he married his eternal companion, Dorothy Rae Burnham in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Shelley where he farmed and sold seed and chemicals. He served on the Idaho Weed Board and was Bingham County Commissioner from 1973-1985.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held various leadership callings. His most endearing service came when he and Dorothy served as missionaries in Rochester, NY (1991), where he touched the lives of many.

He was blessed with 7 children, 36 grandchildren, and 48 great-grandchildren, all of whom he adored. Dad looked forward to Sunday evenings when many of his family and friends would come to visit. He made sure that the popcorn bowl never emptied, and that each child had a pocket full of candy.

With his knowledge of farming, seed, and fertilizers, dad grew the biggest, greenest, and best looking gardens, along with an acre of several varieties of corn. His true harvest was when he filled the trunks and pickup beds of family, friends and neighbors year after year. He was blessed to continue this garden until he was 88 when several back fractures limited his harvest to just his family.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; seven children: Richard (Becky) Christensen, Brian (LeeAnn) Christensen of Idaho Falls, Terrill (Kathryn) Christensen, Marne’ (Michael) McKnight of Shelley, Kendall (Rori) Christensen of Blackfoot, Joel (Beverly) Christensen of Baltimore, MD, and Diane (Chad) Stratton of Orem, UT; siblings: Wayne Christensen, Neldon Christensen, Dorothy Kotter, and Monte Kidman all of Shelley. He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, at the Shelley South Stake Center, 675 S Milton Ave., with Bishop Vern Bowden officiating. The family will visit with friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W Oak St, in Shelley, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Tuesday before services at the Stake Center. Burial will be at the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.