Coston Lorentzen Christensen passed away on January 11th, 2019, at the age of 100 at the Ashford Assisted Living and Memory Care Center in Springville, Utah, where he was lovingly cared for by many. Coston was born to Nephi and Laura Lorentzen Christensen on August 17th, 1918, in Blackfoot, Idaho. He had nine brothers and sisters: Clara Larson, Olive Barclay, Ove Christensen, Thelma Sayer, Noma Tew, Robert Christensen, Raymond Christensen, Nephi Christensen, and Harold Christensen.
Coston was a mechanical engineer to his core. He fixed anything he could get his hands on and was always inventing useful, sometimes elaborate, household tools. Coston served in World War II in the Chemical Warfare Service, where he developed top-secret weapons and defenses for the Army.
After his military service, Coston worked for Kaiser Engineering as a mechanical and nuclear engineer. His work with Kaiser Engineering took Coston and his family across the US, living in ten different states and abroad in Argentina. Coston married his sweetheart Bessie (Betti) J Morgan on March 1, 1941, in Blackfoot, Idaho, in a ceremony officiated by his father Nephi Christensen.
The couple was later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Coston served in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including as a scoutmaster, teacher, branch president, bishop, Provo Temple ordinance worker, and as a stake missionary at the Newel K. Whitney Store in Kirkland, Ohio, with his wife Betti. People young and old loved talking with Coston.
Because of his white hair, favorite red overcoat, and sweet smile, children often mistook him for Santa, but Coston didn’t mind. He would happily listen to their Christmas lists and remind them to be especially good to their families. Coston’s mantra was always, “try a little better to be kind,” and he lived this by seeking ways to serve his family and neighbors daily.
Coston loved sharing stories, making people smile, and teaching his grandkids how to use power tools. Coston was happiest when spending time with his family—holding his great-grandchildren, playing peek-a-boo, and watching Meg Ryan movies with his granddaughters. Coston is survived by his sons and daughters David Kaye (Mildred) Christensen; Kim Coston (Carol) Christensen; Shana Le (John) Parker; Lori Collette (Preston) Mortensen; 23 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; his brother, Harold Christensen; and 51 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 19th, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. in the Springville Hobble Creek Stake Center at 495 South Canyon Road (1300 East) in Springville, Utah. The viewing will take place from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the chapel prior to the services. Burial will be at the Spanish Fork Cemetery at 420 South 400 East, Spanish Fork, Utah, under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary.
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