On September 5 our family was dealt a devastating blow. My dad Tim A Christensen passed away. It was quick and sudden. He had been recovering from surgery, but nobody knew he was going the opposite way. There's a hole in everyone's heart and it's no fun trying to figure out how to navigate life at 38 without my dad. I know many have lost fathers earlier in life, but I never expected to lose him in my 30's. My personal journal has the story from that day, so I won't post it here.
I do want to write a tribute. This is from the talk I gave at his funeral, but I'll add some more to it because I had to keep it short.
Dad had a tender heart. One of my earliest memories was with Barry. We were sent to bed. And we didn't think we needed to go to bed yet, so Barry came into my room and we thought we’d just hang out and talk. We must not have been very quiet because soon after we heard dad coming up the stairs and we knew if Dad was coming up the stairs that usually meant a spanking. So Barry hurried and ran to his room and I laid down in my bed and pretended like I was trying to go to sleep. I heard dad going to his room and he got spanked and I thought to myself, “what am I going to do? I don't want dad to spank me.” And when he came in I just reached my arms up and I said, “I love you,” and instead of getting a spanking that night I got a hug. I know maybe that was a little bit of manipulation but I really did love Dad. So, that was how I justified it. He had a special place in his heart for his girls and treated us like the queens we are meant to be from early on. I don't remember ever getting spanked by dad and I'm sure there were times I deserved it.
Dad knew I loved rocks and even though I’m sure he was tired because of the long days at work, he still spent time and energy looking for and bringing home rocks he’d find for me while he was at work.
As I Grew and had a lot of different activities, piano recitals, and daddy-daughter dates. Dad was always at the activities that I participated in and I knew that if he wasn't at those activities it was because he was working. Dad worked really hard to provide for us and I knew that was how he was supporting our family.
He spent many nights at Grandpa Shelton’s house as he spent his last part of life here on earth. He did the same with my uncle Dee. Then, his mother moved in with dad and mom for the last part of her life. He spent a great deal of time taking care of all of them when he really didn’t have to.
As time went on dad became a grandpa and he loved his grandkids. He’d do anything he could with them and support them in their activities, which were many.
A few months ago Bo and I were going on a trip and Mom and Dad said they would watch the kids for us. We were super grateful for that. Then Madeline, our niece who lives in Utah asked Hailey if she wanted to go to prom with her. It happened to be the same weekend that we were going on our trip and I really wanted her to be able to go. So Bo and I talked and decided she'd be okay going on the Salt Lake Express Shuttle and then Madeline could pick her up and they could just have a fun weekend together, and it might even be easier for Mom and Dad to have one less person to keep an eye on.
I told Mom what I thought we were going to be doing and she later said that she talked to Dad and dad wanted to take Hailey down to Utah and have her go to prom. At first, I thought that’s way too much work. Mom just said he wants to take her and he can spend some time with Dustin in the garage. So, we planned on that. Dad had to take her to go get a covid test and swap a dress at the mall in Utah on the way. They had a great time together and dad was super good to send us some pictures so that we could be a part of her first dance. I’m so grateful they got to have that weekend.
Dad was at so many baseball games this year too. We really appreciated the support. The boys loved having him there.
The final memory that I wanted to share is from last Sunday. We were in the hospital just Mom and I and dad was a little bit confused. Mom said, ``I wonder if he knows who we are?'' She said, “do you know who we are”, and he said what? I was a little closer to his head so I pointed to Mom and I said, "Do you know who that is?” He turned his head and with pure love looked at Mom and he said, “That's my wife.” That pretty much sums everything up. He loved her and she is his. He was not perfect but he took great care of mom. I'm so grateful to know that she is his forever his and he is forever hers, and that we get to be a part of their forever family.
Dad has left a wonderful Legacy and he was such a great example to us and I'm so grateful to have learned so many things from him.
The first few are the viewing the night before:
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| This picture was taken as the kids said a prayer that they could sing their song good for grandpa. That prayer was answered. Their song was so great! |
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| These flowers were made from red shop rags. The boys wanted to put a folded rag in their pocket. Mom wasn't up for that so this was the compromise. It was Bryce's Abbey that thought of it and the flower shop made them. I love how they turned out and now we have a keepsake. |
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| The boys had to get a pic with a red rag in their back pocket |
After battling cancer for several years Tim A. Christensen, 71, of Rigby, unexpectedly passed away September 5, 2021 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center due to complications from a recent surgery. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Tim was born August 12, 1950, in Rigby, Idaho, to Archie Fred Christensen and Mildred Irene Moore Christensen. He grew up and attended school in Ririe, and graduated from Ririe High School.
On January 4, 1974, he married the love of his life Patricia Ann Shelton in Osgood, Idaho. On Feburary 14, 1976, they were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. Tim and Patricia made their home in Taylor, Idaho, where they raised their six children. Tim worked as a Mechanic and RV Technician. Tim and Tricia later moved to Rigby, Idaho where they were living out their retirement.
Tim was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young adult, he served a two-year mission in Columbus, Ohio. Later in life, he and Patricia served for three years as Service Missionaries in the Church Addiction Recovery Program. Tim was always willing to make himself available to anyone and exemplified The Savior by serving those who were in need of his vast expertise to repair literally ANYTHING.
Tim’s life was one of adventure. He enjoyed drag racing cars and enhancing their performance. He could fix anything! He loved spending time dirt biking with his sons and grandchildren. Tim cherished all the time he could with his grandkids. He drove with them, gave rides on the 4 wheeler, and attended all of the events that come with having 24 grandchildren. His favorite adventure was enjoying the journey with his sweetheart Tricia as they would get in the car with no formal destination, travel plans or hotels booked. They would just start driving in a general direction with the focus of the trip being the time they would spend together just talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s companionship.
Those that knew Tim remember him as a patient, kind, humble loving man who will be greatly missed.
Tim is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Ann Christensen of Rigby, ID; son, Bryce (Amie) Christensen of Santaquin, UT, daughter, Brooke (Issac) Rands of West Jordan, UT, son, Dustin (Jeanie) Christensen of Saratoga Springs, UT, son, Trent (Alisa) Christensen of Cedar Hills, UT, daughter, Celeste (Bo) Porter of Rigby, ID, son, Barry (Samantha) Christensen of Spanish Fork, UT, sister June (Farrell) Bush of Archer, ID, brother Van (Marie) Christensen of Idaho Falls, ID, and; 24 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Archie "Bud" Christensen.
Services will be held at 12:00 pm Saturday, September 11, 2021, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 602 Sundance Drive, Rigby, Idaho. The family will visit with friends Friday, September 10th from 6:30 – 8 pm at Wood Funeral Home (273 N Ridge in Idaho Falls) and 11:00 am to 11:45 am Saturday prior to the service. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
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