Rex W. Christensen

6/12/1937 ~ 6/16/2021

Rex W. Christensen (84) passed away on June 16, 2021 in his home. Rex was born on June 12, 1937 to Deliel Christensen and Ada Washburn Christensen in Wales, Utah. He was born and died in the same family home. Rex grew up working hard on the farm with his father, mother, and siblings. Hard work became one of his most lasting characteristics as he always was busy with work in his career, his military service, and while working in his yard and garden. In his later years, you could find Rex driving his tractor around town tilling the gardens of his thankful neighbors. Hunting deer and elk was a passion most of his life. He loved the fall time of year in the mountains, and when the leaves started changing color, there was a pep in his step because Rex knew hunting season was coming soon. He especially loved camping, hunting, and fishing with his family and friends. He was known as an excellent marksman and an avid horseman. Rex loved and served his country. He joined the United States Marine Corps at age 17 where his skills with the rifle were honed. After his full time commitment to the Marine Corps, he continued his military career serving in the Utah National Guard for over 20 years where, again, his marksmanship was well known and respected. He competed around the country on the Utah National Guard shooting team winning numerous awards and championships. In the later years of his life, he traveled around the state honoring his fellow military service members with the American Legion.
Rex worked the majority of his career as an engineer for the Utah Department of Transportation where his leadership, skill in mathematics, and attention to detail were second to none. After retiring from a long career with UDOT, he worked as an engineer for Horrocks Engineers for over a decade longer. Many times riding down the highway, Rex’s passengers were treated to descriptions of stretches of the highway he had a part in building. He was dedicated to and proud of his life’s work.
Rex married Helen Marie Wilkey on September 21,1957 later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple October 24, 1979. They would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this fall. He is dearly missed by his Marie, but very thankful for the many years they spent together. Rex and Marie had five children and welcomed many grandchildren and great-grandchildren into their growing family as the years went by. After retirement, they served a mission together for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Atlanta, Georgia. After their mission, they were blessed to serve 10 years together in the Manti Temple.
Rex was preceded in death his father and mother; an older sister, Zelma La Faun Christensen, who died in infancy; a younger sister, Joyce (Carl Baessler); and a son-in-law, Karl Clawson (Leslie). He is survived by his wife, Marie of Wales; his brother Leo Christensen (Marilyn) of Chandler, Arizona; his sister, Lucille Gadd (DeMar) of Nephi; his children Kirk Christensen (Janet) of Fairview; Karl Christensen (Annette) of Twin Falls, Idaho; Corinne Larsen (Sandy) of Ephraim; Leslie Mangelson (Don) of Genola; Cody Christensen (Teresa) of Cedar City and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday June 23, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanpitch LDS Ward Chapel in Wales, UT. Viewing will be held Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 am in the Sanpitch Ward prior to services. Interment in the Wales Town Cemetery.

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