Chris Christensen Jr., 78

Dr. Chris Christensen Jr., 78, of Kalispell, passed away May 27, 2016, at his home in Kalispell surrounded by his loved ones.

Chris was born in Keokuk, Iowa, Jan. 13, 1938, and raised on a farm in Montrose, Iowa, by parents Chris and Leota Fruehling Christensen, with a blended family of six older brothers and two sisters.

He did his undergraduate studies at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and then earned his medical doctorate from Loma Linda Medical School in 1964. He interned at Mission Memorial Hospital in Ashville, North Carolina. He was in public health service from 1965 to 1967 at Shiprock, New Mexico, where he developed a lifelong respect of the Navajo culture. He then completed his surgical training at the University of Utah in 1971.

In 1972 he married Diane Saxton, and from this union three sons, David, Mark and Jeffrey, were born. Chris worked at the Ogden clinic and then in private practice in Ogden and Layton, Utah; later he worked at the VA hospital in Prescott, Arizona, where he met Diane Cisco, whom he married in 1988. He retired as the chief surgeon from Hot Springs, South Dakota, VA hospital in 2007.

Chris was an avid bicyclist, kayaker, hiker and skier. Loving all the beauty of Montana, he was active with Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana as well 24 Hours of Flathead. He sat on the board of directors at the Eccles Community Art Center in Ogden, Utah. Chris was an accomplished artist and enjoyed various forms of woodworking, making several log beds, lamps and chests. He could often be found in his garage turning bowls and pens. He also made beautiful stained glass pieces as well as pottery.

Most of all he enjoyed encouraging his sons in their endeavors, taking them and their friends boating and camping, especially to his favorite place, Flaming Gorge. He was so proud of them and their accomplishments.

He was the doctor’s doctor, called upon to save so many lives as a surgeon. But when he was with his family, he could compartmentalize his work and enjoy the precious moments with them.

He volunteered with the food bank and washed many dishes at Feeding the Flathead dinners.

Always enjoying new adventures, Chris and Diane traveled to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with Dr. Ken and Lynn Kofed, as well as their odyssey to Alaska in their fifth wheels one summer.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Leota Christensen; and seven brothers, one in infancy.

Chris is survived by his wife, Diane; sons, David, Mark and Jeffrey; stepchildren, Beth Cisco, Mark Cisco (Lynn), Laura Garner (Dennis), and Jeane Marie Carlson (Eric); four grandchildren and four stepgrandchildren; sisters, Delores Umbarger and Doris Cameron; as well as many nieces and nephews, and friends and family who will miss biking with him, especially Lanny Barton.

There will be a visitation for Chris from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, with services to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will take place following services at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Home Options Hospice of Kalispell, Rails to Trails, or 24 Hours of Flathead.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Christensen family.