Austin Julius Christensen

Austin Julius Christensen beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle returned to his Heavenly home December 15, 2015 in Payson, Utah. Austin was born March 14, 1929 in Central, Arizona to Julius Peter Christensen and Helen Laurine Lee. Austin had one brother Chris Lee and three sisters Alpharetta, Helen, and Elva. Austin grew up in Arizona, California and Oregon where his father worked for several Federal organizations.

Austin graduated from Eagle Point High School in 1947. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Engineering and graduated from ROTC from Oregon State University in 1953. Austin married Evelyn Ann Greiner on September 18, 1953 and then immediately reported for active duty with the U.S. Army. They were sealed in the Swiss Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints August 24, 1956. They have six children. Austin served all over the world in the Army Corps of Engineers. He was stationed in Germany for three years and served in Vietnam and Thailand. In 1969 Austin received a Master's of Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M. Austin served 16 years of active duty in the U. S. Army and then served in the U.S. Army reserves retiring as a Lt. Colonel. After retiring from the Army Austin worked as a Construction Engineer is Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas, and California. Austin and Evelyn moved to Springville, Utah in 2003 to be closer to their family.

Austin was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many leadership positions in the various places that he lived and made many friends. He served as Bishop of the Oak Hills Ward in Phelan, California. Austin was an energetic and strong speaker on gospel subjects.

Austin is survived by his wife of 62 years Evelyn; his six children: Gary (Lynn) Christensen of Purcellville, Virginia, Jon (Liz) Christensen of Oak City, Utah, Leah (Dan) Faber of Provo, Utah, Brian (Julie) Christensen of Seattle, Washington, Laurine (Perry) Hartman of Beaumont, Texas and Melissa (Alan) Brereton of Springville, Utah; 29 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren with 1 expected in April; one sister Elva Wallace and many nieces and nephews.

Austin was preceded in death by his parents, Julius P. and Helen Laurine Christensen; his in-laws, Carey F. and Ula Greiner; his brother, Chris Lee Christensen and sisters, Helen and Alpharetta.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 11 a.m. in the Springville Fifth Ward, Springville Stake Meeting House, 245 South 600 East, Springville, Utah. A visitation will be held Tuesday, 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Utah Veteran's Memorial Cemetery at Camp Williams immediately following the funeral.

The family would like to thank the Central Utah Veteran's Home, Seasons of Santaquin Assisted Living, Reid's Park Place Assisted Living and Bristol Hospice for their loving care of Austin in the last three years.