Chester Christensen

Chester Hyrum Christensen, 101 years of Bear River City, UT, passed away on January 31, 2015.

Born November 26, 1913 in Bear River City to Hyrum Erastus Christensen and Inger Sorensen Christensen.  His mother passed away when he was only nine years old and his loving step mother Edna Rawson Christensen served an important role in his life.

Chester married Bessie Eva Hamilton on November 22, 1938 in Las Vegas, NV and was later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple, March 27, 1958. They served an LDS mission together in the Ohio, Columbus Mission stationed in McMechen, West Virginia, the Brigham City, UT Tabernacle, and the Ogden, UT Temple.  Together, they raised an amazing family, consisting of five children, Chester Robert “Bob” (Linda) Christensen, Bette Ann C. (Roger) Dallin, Curtis H. (Karen) Christensen, Karen Mae “Kino” (Brian) Chutka, Kent H. (Kim) Christensen, 21 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, and six great, great grandchildren.

He was the pinnacle of good health and lifelong learning, graduating from Bear River High School and attended Utah State University where he obtained his Advanced Master Gardner’s degree at 85 years old.

He escaped death many times where others with him did not, including a car accident where he was pronounced dead but was brought back, a rock slide, and other near misses.  Because he was not afraid of death, he truly lived.

He traveled the world, but loved spending time with his family fishing, hunting, and flooding his front lawn where families and friends would enjoy the simple pleasures of running through the water and spending time with each other best.

Chester will be remembered as an avid Sports Fan.  He loved playing baseball and was scouted by professional teams; he was one of only three in the county that could hit the baseball over the Bear River hill.   He was a devoted Jazz Basketball fan, but will be remembered by many for staying active chopping wood, hanging Christmas lights, and having the most beautiful yard and garden in town.

He was devoted to America, even after being admitted to a nursing facility, he insisted on voting.  He struggled to get to the polls, but cast his vote despite obstacles.   He served in the Army California National Guard, During World War II.  He was committed to living a life full of community involvement, keeping commitments, and an honorable life.

Chester lived an amazing life and saw many changes.  America was a different place at the year of his birth.  Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States, and Joseph F. Smith was President of the LDS Church.  The Model T Ford was in full production, Babe Ruth had not yet started playing baseball, and the US Postal Service was established that same year.   Thomas Edison was still inventing wonders, and World War I had not yet started. He was able to be successful throughout the Great Depression and was delighted when indoor plumbing was introduced.  There was no Academy Awards, NBA, Super bowl, and residential electricity was not common.  Many of the things that define America were established during his lifetime, because he and his generation built the America we know today.  He helped to the build the Shasta Dam near Redding, California that brought water and electricity to the area.  He was a young entrepreneur who traveled with his combines to harvest the wheat fields of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and helped to build the roads through Bear River City.    With the money he obtained from these endeavors, he purchased his own farm in Bear River City where he raised his family and became an example for generations.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, February 5th at the Bear River City, LDS Church (5870 N. 4700 W.) from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM and again on Friday, February 6th from 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 6th at 11:00 a.m. the same location after the viewing.   Burial will follow at the Bear River City Cemetery