Kent Harry Christiansen
1931 - 2020
VETERAN
Early Life: Kent was born September 25, 1931, in Gunnison, Utah, to Harry Henry and Thelma Westenskow Christiansen. He attended school in Gunnison, graduating from Gunnison High School, where he played center position on the basketball team, and also competed as a member of the school's tennis team.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: Kent served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the North Central States Mission, laboring in the states of Minnesota, the eastern and central portions of South Dakota, all of North Dakota, extending to Manitoba, Ontario (west of Port Arthur) and Saskatchewan, Canada. After returning from his mission, Kent served in the United States Army in Europe and West Germany. After receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Army, he attended and graduated from Snow College on a basketball scholarship (A.S.), thereafter attending and graduating from Utah State University (B.S.), and the University of Utah with an M.A. in social work.
Kent married his college sweetheart, angelic wife and mother, Betty Lou Goodwin on March 5, 1954, in the Manti Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were together for 63 years until Betty's passing, a little over three years ago, on March 29, 2017.
His career in social work ranged from counseling patients at the Utah State Hospital, working as a Juvenile Court Probation
Officer, 24 years as a child welfare social worker, and serving as the Director of Child Welfare for the 4th District of Utah until his retirement. Kent also taught as an adjunct professor of social work at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Kent loved classic and antique cars, particularly vintage Chevrolets. His personal business card read, "I'd rather push a Chevy than drive a Ford!" He also loved to read. He actively served in many church callings and was always willing to serve and help other people. He taught all of his children that anything could be accomplished through hard work and determination. His optimistic personality was contagious; he had a gift of seeing the best in any person and situation. He often reminded us, "Most people in this life are doing the best they can with what they've got."
During his time on Earth, he witnessed the Great Depression, a world war, a myriad of natural and man-made world calamities,
the advent of space travel, the Internet, and countless other advancements and discoveries. He passed from this life just as he lived, with a positive outlook toward life, and a never-ending optimism, as evidenced by the many long-term projects he began, embarked upon, and continued to pursue throughout his life. Kent Harry Christiansen completed his mortal journey on Thursday, November 19, 2020, following a rewarding and eventful life, spanning nearly nine decades.
Family Message: "We are eternally grateful to Dad for the many blessings he brought to our lives and the countless others whose lives he touched. We love you Dad!"
Survived By: His six children: Kent Jr. (Gwen) Christiansen, of Layton, Utah; Brent (Laurie) Christiansen, of Mona, Utah; Randy (MaryAnn) Christiansen, of Provo, Utah; Andrew (Cheryl) Christiansen, of Provo, Utah; Jason (Kimberlie) Christiansen, of Lindon, Utah; Teresa (Matt) Sumner of Provo, Utah; his sister, Terrell Lunt; brother, Robert; 22 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.
Preceded In Death By: His dear wife, Betty; his parents, three of his four sisters, and a teenage granddaughter, Juliett.
Services: Nelson Family Mortuary
Service Option: Webcast via mortuary website
Arrangements: Nelson Family Mortuary
Interment: Provo City Cemetery
Obituary: © 2020 | Nelson Family Mortuary
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
1931 - 2020
VETERAN
Early Life: Kent was born September 25, 1931, in Gunnison, Utah, to Harry Henry and Thelma Westenskow Christiansen. He attended school in Gunnison, graduating from Gunnison High School, where he played center position on the basketball team, and also competed as a member of the school's tennis team.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: Kent served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the North Central States Mission, laboring in the states of Minnesota, the eastern and central portions of South Dakota, all of North Dakota, extending to Manitoba, Ontario (west of Port Arthur) and Saskatchewan, Canada. After returning from his mission, Kent served in the United States Army in Europe and West Germany. After receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Army, he attended and graduated from Snow College on a basketball scholarship (A.S.), thereafter attending and graduating from Utah State University (B.S.), and the University of Utah with an M.A. in social work.
Kent married his college sweetheart, angelic wife and mother, Betty Lou Goodwin on March 5, 1954, in the Manti Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were together for 63 years until Betty's passing, a little over three years ago, on March 29, 2017.
His career in social work ranged from counseling patients at the Utah State Hospital, working as a Juvenile Court Probation
Officer, 24 years as a child welfare social worker, and serving as the Director of Child Welfare for the 4th District of Utah until his retirement. Kent also taught as an adjunct professor of social work at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Kent loved classic and antique cars, particularly vintage Chevrolets. His personal business card read, "I'd rather push a Chevy than drive a Ford!" He also loved to read. He actively served in many church callings and was always willing to serve and help other people. He taught all of his children that anything could be accomplished through hard work and determination. His optimistic personality was contagious; he had a gift of seeing the best in any person and situation. He often reminded us, "Most people in this life are doing the best they can with what they've got."
During his time on Earth, he witnessed the Great Depression, a world war, a myriad of natural and man-made world calamities,
the advent of space travel, the Internet, and countless other advancements and discoveries. He passed from this life just as he lived, with a positive outlook toward life, and a never-ending optimism, as evidenced by the many long-term projects he began, embarked upon, and continued to pursue throughout his life. Kent Harry Christiansen completed his mortal journey on Thursday, November 19, 2020, following a rewarding and eventful life, spanning nearly nine decades.
Family Message: "We are eternally grateful to Dad for the many blessings he brought to our lives and the countless others whose lives he touched. We love you Dad!"
Survived By: His six children: Kent Jr. (Gwen) Christiansen, of Layton, Utah; Brent (Laurie) Christiansen, of Mona, Utah; Randy (MaryAnn) Christiansen, of Provo, Utah; Andrew (Cheryl) Christiansen, of Provo, Utah; Jason (Kimberlie) Christiansen, of Lindon, Utah; Teresa (Matt) Sumner of Provo, Utah; his sister, Terrell Lunt; brother, Robert; 22 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.
Preceded In Death By: His dear wife, Betty; his parents, three of his four sisters, and a teenage granddaughter, Juliett.
Services: Nelson Family Mortuary
Service Option: Webcast via mortuary website
Arrangements: Nelson Family Mortuary
Interment: Provo City Cemetery
Obituary: © 2020 | Nelson Family Mortuary
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
Kent Harry Christiansen
1931 - 2020
VETERAN
Early Life: Kent was born September 25, 1931, in Gunnison, Utah, to Harry Henry and Thelma Westenskow Christiansen. He attended school in Gunnison, graduating from Gunnison High School, where he played center position on the basketball team, and also competed as a member of the school's tennis team.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: Kent served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the North Central States Mission, laboring in the states of Minnesota, the eastern and central portions of South Dakota, all of North Dakota, extending to Manitoba, Ontario (west of Port Arthur) and Saskatchewan, Canada. After returning from his mission, Kent served in the United States Army in Europe and West Germany. After receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Army, he attended and graduated from Snow College on a basketball scholarship (A.S.), thereafter attending and graduating from Utah State University (B.S.), and the University of Utah with an M.A. in social work.
Kent married his college sweetheart, angelic wife and mother, Betty Lou Goodwin on March 5, 1954, in the Manti Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were together for 63 years until Betty's passing, a little over three years ago, on March 29, 2017.
His career in social work ranged from counseling patients at the Utah State Hospital, working as a Juvenile Court Probation
Officer, 24 years as a child welfare social worker, and serving as the Director of Child Welfare for the 4th District of Utah until his retirement. Kent also taught as an adjunct professor of social work at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Kent loved classic and antique cars, particularly vintage Chevrolets. His personal business card read, "I'd rather push a Chevy than drive a Ford!" He also loved to read. He actively served in many church callings and was always willing to serve and help other people. He taught all of his children that anything could be accomplished through hard work and determination. His optimistic personality was contagious; he had a gift of seeing the best in any person and situation. He often reminded us, "Most people in this life are doing the best they can with what they've got."
During his time on Earth, he witnessed the Great Depression, a world war, a myriad of natural and man-made world calamities,
the advent of space travel, the Internet, and countless other advancements and discoveries. He passed from this life just as he lived, with a positive outlook toward life, and a never-ending optimism, as evidenced by the many long-term projects he began, embarked upon, and continued to pursue throughout his life. Kent Harry Christiansen completed his mortal journey on Thursday, November 19, 2020, following a rewarding and eventful life, spanning nearly nine decades.
Family Message: "We are eternally grateful to Dad for the many blessings he brought to our lives and the countless others whose lives he touched. We love you Dad!"
Survived By: His six children: Kent Jr. (Gwen) Christiansen, of Layton, Utah; Brent (Laurie) Christiansen, of Mona, Utah; Randy (MaryAnn) Christiansen, of Provo, Utah; Andrew (Cheryl) Christiansen, of Provo, Utah; Jason (Kimberlie) Christiansen, of Lindon, Utah; Teresa (Matt) Sumner of Provo, Utah; his sister, Terrell Lunt; brother, Robert; 22 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.
Preceded In Death By: His dear wife, Betty; his parents, three of his four sisters, and a teenage granddaughter, Juliett.
Services: Nelson Family Mortuary
Service Option: Webcast via mortuary website
Arrangements: Nelson Family Mortuary
Interment: Provo City Cemetery
Obituary: © 2020 | Nelson Family Mortuary
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
1931 - 2020
VETERAN
Early Life: Kent was born September 25, 1931, in Gunnison, Utah, to Harry Henry and Thelma Westenskow Christiansen. He attended school in Gunnison, graduating from Gunnison High School, where he played center position on the basketball team, and also competed as a member of the school's tennis team.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: Kent served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the North Central States Mission, laboring in the states of Minnesota, the eastern and central portions of South Dakota, all of North Dakota, extending to Manitoba, Ontario (west of Port Arthur) and Saskatchewan, Canada. After returning from his mission, Kent served in the United States Army in Europe and West Germany. After receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Army, he attended and graduated from Snow College on a basketball scholarship (A.S.), thereafter attending and graduating from Utah State University (B.S.), and the University of Utah with an M.A. in social work.
Kent married his college sweetheart, angelic wife and mother, Betty Lou Goodwin on March 5, 1954, in the Manti Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were together for 63 years until Betty's passing, a little over three years ago, on March 29, 2017.
His career in social work ranged from counseling patients at the Utah State Hospital, working as a Juvenile Court Probation
Officer, 24 years as a child welfare social worker, and serving as the Director of Child Welfare for the 4th District of Utah until his retirement. Kent also taught as an adjunct professor of social work at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Kent loved classic and antique cars, particularly vintage Chevrolets. His personal business card read, "I'd rather push a Chevy than drive a Ford!" He also loved to read. He actively served in many church callings and was always willing to serve and help other people. He taught all of his children that anything could be accomplished through hard work and determination. His optimistic personality was contagious; he had a gift of seeing the best in any person and situation. He often reminded us, "Most people in this life are doing the best they can with what they've got."
During his time on Earth, he witnessed the Great Depression, a world war, a myriad of natural and man-made world calamities,
the advent of space travel, the Internet, and countless other advancements and discoveries. He passed from this life just as he lived, with a positive outlook toward life, and a never-ending optimism, as evidenced by the many long-term projects he began, embarked upon, and continued to pursue throughout his life. Kent Harry Christiansen completed his mortal journey on Thursday, November 19, 2020, following a rewarding and eventful life, spanning nearly nine decades.
Family Message: "We are eternally grateful to Dad for the many blessings he brought to our lives and the countless others whose lives he touched. We love you Dad!"
Survived By: His six children: Kent Jr. (Gwen) Christiansen, of Layton, Utah; Brent (Laurie) Christiansen, of Mona, Utah; Randy (MaryAnn) Christiansen, of Provo, Utah; Andrew (Cheryl) Christiansen, of Provo, Utah; Jason (Kimberlie) Christiansen, of Lindon, Utah; Teresa (Matt) Sumner of Provo, Utah; his sister, Terrell Lunt; brother, Robert; 22 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.
Preceded In Death By: His dear wife, Betty; his parents, three of his four sisters, and a teenage granddaughter, Juliett.
Services: Nelson Family Mortuary
Service Option: Webcast via mortuary website
Arrangements: Nelson Family Mortuary
Interment: Provo City Cemetery
Obituary: © 2020 | Nelson Family Mortuary
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
Gravesite Details
Interment 1 Dec 2020
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