Dean Hedin Christensen, 90 years young, returned to his heavenly home, after an extended illness on Monday, October 29, 2018. He was born on March 4, 1928, the firstborn child of Max Dean Christensen and Signe Sofie Hedin. He was raised in Pocatello, Idaho as a young boy and later moved to Salt Lake City, Utah when his father was transferred for business.
He was followed by sisters; Vanola, Irene, True, and brother Hal, who was born while he was serving his mission in Sweden. He had a very special relationship with his sister Venola and during his last few years, talked about her every week. He was very close to his sweet Mother, who died at the age of 102.
What a sweet reunion they are having. Dean served a mission to Sweden, his mother’s homeland, and cherished that time for the rest of his life. He frequently talked about Sweden and used the Swedish language up until the time of his death.
As young adult, one day Dean was driving down 7th East in Salt Lake City, Utah, near Liberty Park, when he saw a beautiful, well put together, dark headed girl standing on the corner. He said to himself, I’m going to marry her someday. That is exactly what he did, that beautiful young girl was Helen McDonald Junor, just recently immigrated from Glasgow, Scotland.
They met while singing in the same LDS Young Adults choir and were married on October 7, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their marriage was blessed with 4 children: David, Ian, Paul and Eleanor. Dean was a hard working man, that was never found without a job.
He worked at the Sears Service Center for many years and later after retirement, he served the patrons of the Wentworth Living Center, fixing and maintaining the building. He was always found up by 5:00 AM ready to start his day. When he wasn’t working, he was often found by one of the many mountain streams in Utah, with his fishing pole and his son Ian.
They enjoyed many years fishing together. Dean cherished the many years he served in the LDS Church as a seventy, teaching the LDS Gospel to others. He was an A+ home teacher and whenever he spoke of the Savior there were always tears in his eyes.
He was a man who loved Jesus. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for his entire life, and had a firm testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. He lost his wife Helen at the young age of 59 and spent 8 years, tearful and lonely.
The sun finally came out again, when he was introduced to a beautiful young lady, Dixie Camille Jensen. They immediately became friends, fell in love and were married on May 3, 2001 in the Salt Lake Temple. They spent many years living in the Crystal Heights Ward and later moved to Cedarwood Assisted Living in Sandy and have made many friendships there.
Dixie has been a wonderful wife to Dean and has taken such good care of him and loved him fiercely. He adored her and they made a beautiful couple together. Dean is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen and his son Ian.
He is survived by his sweet wife Dixie, sisters, Vanola Gillett, Irene Banks, True Nielson and brother, Hal Christensen. Children: David Christensen, Paul & Mary Ann Christensen and daughter Eleanor Christensen. Dixie’s children, Camille & Jeff Christensen, Carey Carter & Cathy Carter.
Grandchildren: Megan Christensen, Jennifer & Damien Draughon, Alexander, Pierce & Jared Christensen. Dixie’s grandchildren: Chandler, Carter, Alex, Preston, James and Carrigan. Great-grandchildren, Bailee, Burton and Deacon, born on his great-Papa’s 90th birthday.
We would like to thank the wonderful staff, and friends that Dad had in his last few years, living at Cedarwood in Sandy, Utah. A very special thank you to his care givers from Symbii Hospice. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services on Saturday, November 3rd starting at 10:00 a.m. Funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. at his former Crystal Heights 1st Ward, 1970 E Stratford Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Interment will follow services at Memorial Redwood Estates in West Jordan, Utah. “. .
well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” Matthew 25.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
