Ronald Lee 'Chris' Christenson, 60

Chris Ronald Lee Christenson, 60, passed away March 26, 2006, in the Nephi Hospital in Nephi, Utah, coming home from Arizona after two weeks of "prospecting."

He was born Ronald Lee Christenson on June 21, 1945, to Leo Wilhelm and Viola Mae (Smith) Christenson in Galesburg, Ill. When he was 3 to 5 days old, his father, Leo, took a pen and hand wrote in "Chris" because that's what they would end up calling him the rest of his life. He attended St. Mary Catholic School in Galesburg until 1954, when his father passed away. His mother, Vi, and Chris took the advice of Vi's brother "Buss" and moved to Lynnwood, Calif. He attended Hosler Junior High and Lynnwood High School. He loved to swim and was on the swim teams.

In 1964 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. While in the service, he was a team leader of a recon team in Vietnam. He had 2 1/2 tours in Vietnam and received two Bronze Stars for valor. He was a part of the 101st Airborne, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Rangers LRP (Long Ranger Patrol). He was a reservist for 12 years as an MP and a staff sergeant platoon leader.

He worked for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner for 10 years as a printer, doing pasteup and later maintenance. He attended Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif., and received his associate of arts degree in police science, then onto Cal State in Long Beach, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice.

He met his wife, Nancy Osuna, in 1973, and they married in August 1974. In 1976, Christina Ann was born. They lived in Downey, Calif., until 1979, when they moved to Bozeman. He worked for the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office as a jailer and part-time dispatcher.

In May 1980, Chris was hired by the Kalispell Police Department. His first weekends on duty he experienced Mount St. Helen's eruption and Canadian Day weekend. He once wrote "this has been a life-long goal that I have worked at since boyhood and I guarantee that I will do my best." He served the Kalispell community as police officer and patrol sergeant until he retired in 2003.

He loved what he was doing with his retirement years by prospecting, sailing and even served our country again as a civilian security contractor for Cochise and Ronco in Basra, Iraq.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy Christenson, of Kalispell; three daughters, Christina Ann Menke and husband, Tom, and Katrina Rose Christenson and her fiance, Gary Conan, all of Kalispell, Cynthia Mae Balboa and husband, Noni, of West Jordan; one son, Craig Leo Wilhelm Christenson, and fiancee, Ashley Robinson, of Butte; one granddaughter, Daechen Menke, of Kalispell; grandson, Jaden Kekoa Balboa, of West Jordan; mother-in-law, Jean Ramirez, of Simi Valley, Calif.; sister-in-law, Rose Kupstaitis, of Simi Valley; brother-in-law, Steve Arnaudoff, of San Diego; with nephew and nieces, numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and his "Ranger Brothers." He also leaves his dog and companion for walks, Ketcher.

A prayer service/wake will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at the Best Western White Oak Grand Hotel at the Somers cut-across at U.S. 93 South and Montana 82. There is no visitation.

The family suggests memorials be made to Veterans Affairs; to the entity of the donor's choice; the Disabled Vets; or Vietnam Vets.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Chris' family.