Henry E. Christiansen, 83, of Bountiful, died July 9, 1996, at his daughter's home in Rexburg, Idaho, of cancer.
He was born June 13, 1913, in Naestved, Denmark to Louisa W.C. Christiansen. While in the care of his grandmother, Amanda Larsson, they immigrated to the United States and settled in Manti, Utah. She died when Henry was 16. His foster parents after that time were Marqvardt and Bertha Christiansen. He attended public schools in Manti, Snow College in Ephraim, and Utah State University in Logan. He began an LDS Mission in his native Denmark and completed 34 months service in the North Central States mission.On March 20, 1944, he married Dorothy Esplin of Shelley, Idaho, in the Manti Temple. He left for the European Theatre of War in August of 1944. He served in the Pacific, northern France, central Europe, and the Rhineland and helped in the liberation of Nordhausen Concentration Camp.
He served the Genealogical Society of the LDS Church with consuming dedication for 43 years. He advised on sealing problems to the First Presidencies of the Church from David O. McKay to Howard W. Hunter. He was a Patriarch in the Bountiful Utah Val Verda Stake and a Sealer in the Salt Lake and Bountiful temples.
Survivors include his children: Ruth Ann Green (Larry), Richard Lin (Linda), Altayne Orr (Brent), and Mark Alan (Kamie); three brothers, Harry Jorgensen, Elvin Christiansen, and Galen Christiansen; three sisters, Lida Jensen, Elma Jensen and Norma Bauer; 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson born July 6, 1996. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, and one grandson
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 12, 1996 at the Bountiful Utah Val Verde Stake Center with Bishop Lyman Jackson officiating. The family will meet with friends from 7-9 p.m., Thursday, July 11th, at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 No. Main, in Bountiful and from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Friday at the Church. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Shelley, Idaho, at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate contributions to the Make a Wish Foundation of the Primary Childrens Hosptial in Henry E. Christiansen's Name.
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