Galen B. Christiansen
May 15, 1935 — May 21, 2011
Galen B. Christiansen, 76, passed away May 21, 2011, in Provo, Utah. He was born May 15, 1935 in Manti, Utah to M. E. Bernhardt and Bertha Sudweeks Christiansen. He married Betty Christensen on July 31, 1953, and had two sons Jerry and Shane. They later divorced. He married Ruth Jeffs Magnuson Dennis on August 27, 1962 and became "Dad" to her four young children. Their marriage was later sealed in the Manti LDS Temple. Galen and Ruth had two sons together.
Galen spent 70 of his 76 years in Manti. During the short time away he found the love of his life. After returning to Manti he opened his own business, Gale’s Auto in Ephraim. He later became a dairy farmer and taught auto mechanics at Manti High School for 21 years. Galen served as a Manti City councilman for 15 years, was on the Manti Irrigation Board, and a member of the UMPA Board of Directors. He retired from teaching in 1998 and continued farming with his son McCrae. The last few years of his life were spent chauffeuring grandkids, "supervising" McCrae’s farming and Gerald’s shop duties, and leisurely touring the highways with Ruth. Galen’s greatest joys in life were his family, farming, and service to others.
Galen is survived by his sweetheart of 48 years, Ruth, children Jerry Holbrook, and Shane (Michelle) Holbrook of California, Diane Dennis (Bruce) Jenkins, St. George, Mike (Amy) Dennis, Gerald (Jennifer) Christiansen, and McCrae (Linda) Christiansen all of Manti. He is also blessed with 22 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by parents; brothers: Henry and Elvin; sisters: Lida Jensen, Elma Jensen, and Norma Cox; son Boyd Wayne Dennis, and daughter Louise Dennis Anderson.
Funeral services will be held Saturday May 28th, 2011 at 12:00 Noon at the Manti LDS Stake Center, 555 East Union Street in Manti, Utah. Friends may call at the stake center from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday May 27th and Saturday from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Manti City Cemetery.
Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.