Reuel Halbert Christensen

Heaven has welcomed home one of the kindest men on earth. Reuel Halbert (Hal) Christensen passed away at home, on March 19, 2024 in Springville, Utah, at the age of 90. Hal was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 16, 1934, to Reuel Eldon and Vonda Thea (Henrie) Christensen. He attended Snow College after high school for 2 years. While at Snow College he played basketball and continued to work on the family farm. Hal loved sports, especially basketball and tennis. Eventually, he continued his education at Utah State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics and a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling. In 1975, he earned a Doctorate of Education at Brigham Young University.

Hal served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sydney, Australia.  He was able to serve for a month in Blacktown before transferring to the city of Adelaide, where he played on a basketball team made up of missionaries.  The team was called The Mormon Yankees.  They competed against all the major teams in the Adelaide area and won many games.  He loved sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people in Australia and continued in that missionary spirit throughout his life.

During the summer of his senior year at Utah State University, he joined the National Guard unit in Logan, Utah.  He was part of the 151-Howitzer Company.  He became a section chief and was promoted to E-5 ranking, which is equivalent to being a Sargent.  Also, during that time, he met his first wife, Carol Ann Barker.  They were married March 18, 1959 in the Logan Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and eventually moved to southern California, where he was an educator/administrator for 35 years, until his retirement in 2000.  During this time, they were blessed with five children, Teri Remsberg (Dirk), Nanette Cutler (Brad), Kert Christensen (Catherine), Daniel Christensen (Monique) and Lance Christensen (Malinda).

A devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hal served in many leadership positions. He also served in the Los Angeles California Temple and as a missionary with Carol to Jakarta, Indonesia and Bangkok, Thailand.  They taught English to government officials and to other students in their educational system.  Hal and Carol also tirelessly directed and helped with clean water projects and wheelchair distributions.  They loved the people and the cultures as they served for 18 months.

Returning to Utah was always the plan for Hal and Carol.  They built a home in Springville and enjoyed serving in the 7th ward of the Hobble Creek Stake.  They also served for several years as ordinance workers in the Manti and Provo Temples.

After 49 years of marriage, on January 28, 2008, Carol passed away unexpectedly.  This left a big hole in Hal’s heart until he met Frances (Fran) Proper Comet.  After a short time of courting, they were married on December 19, 2008 in Manti, Utah.  With this marriage, four more children were brought into Hal’s life, Mike Proper (Shaunae), Melissa Burnside (Mark), Elizabeth Howe (Mike) and Rebecca Proper.  They have brought much joy into his life, and he loved all of them dearly.

Hal and Fran continued to live in the Springville home and then spent 18 months serving a Spanish-speaking mission in the Guayaquil, Ecuador Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2012-2013.  This was a tremendous learning experience for both, for they had to learn to speak Spanish.  They also were able to make lifetime connections and relationships with the people of Ecuador.  During their marriage of 15 years, Hal and Fran enjoyed being ordinance workers in the Manti, Provo, and Provo City Center temples.

Halbert (Hal) will be remembered for his love of family, his strong handshake, his beautiful smile, and his gentle disposition.  The grandchildren named him the missionary grandpa.  His faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ, and his ability to endure to the very end as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ is his legacy.

Halbert is proceeded in death by his parents, Reuel and Vonda, his brother, Andrew Christensen, and wife, Carol Barker Christensen.

Halbert is survived by his wife, Fran Christensen, his sister, Carol Gunderson (Jay), his brother, Kay Christensen (Diane), and his sister, Janet Williams (Jim).  He was dearly loved by his 38 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and CNA staff members of the Symbii Home Health Hospice medical professionals, as they tenderly and professionally served the family during Hal’s last months.  They have become some of our dearest friends. 

A viewing for family and friends will be held Friday, March 29th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the church at 1965 E. Canyon Road in Springville.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 30th in the church at 1965 E. Canyon Road in Springville with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to the services.  Interment will be in the Ephraim Park Cemetery in Ephraim, Utah.