Anthony J. Christensen - Walker Funeral Home

A recording of the funeral services can be seen below, at the bottom of the obituary

February 19, 1940 – February 12, 2021

Anthony J. Christensen peacefully passed through the door of death by natural causes on Friday, February 12, 2021 at his home in Elk Ridge, Utah, surrounded by his family. He began his mortal sojourn February 19, 1940 in Provo, Utah, the son of McKay Christensen and Josephine Johnson. Soon after birth his family moved to Payson, Utah. Anthony, nicknamed “Tony” and later in life “AJ,” grew up in Payson with his two brothers and three sisters.

Anthony graduated from Payson High School in the class of 1958. He served a full-time mission in New England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He attended BYU where he served as Junior Class President, and received a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1964.

It was at BYU where he met his eternal sweetheart, Marielen Wadley, daughter of LaVere J Wadley and Eunice Elizabeth Bird. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 6, 1963.

Anthony went on to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1966. He started his career as a business consultant for Ernst & Ernst in Seattle, then purchased an aerospace parts manufacturing company, and later worked as a financial controller for A&T Ski Company. He eventually took over as manager of Christensen’s Department Store, later named Mac Anthony’s in Spanish Fork, Utah. He and his wife Marielen were the founders and owners of Keeping Memories Alive, a scrapbooking wholesale and retail company, headquartered in Spanish Fork.

Anthony and Marielen are the parents of five children, and have nine grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Anthony loved and enjoyed his family, his neighbors, his yard, his family history research and his temple service. He was the researcher, compiler and publisher of twenty-three volumes of family history.

Anthony was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in numerous ward and stake capacities, including bishop of the Renton Washington 3rd Ward, bishop of the Spanish Fork Utah 5th Ward, and president of the Spanish Fork Utah Stake. He served as an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple for 5 years, and a sealer in the Provo Temple and Payson Temple for 23 years.

Anthony was preceded in death by his brothers, Heber and Doug, his parents, McKay and Josephine, and his great grand-daughter, Zoe Green. He is survived by his wife Marielen of Elk Ridge, and their five children: Marilee Slade (Rodney) of Mapleton; Margaret Christensen of Salem; Gina Bench (Bradley) of Austin, Texas; Michael Christensen of Orem; and Elizabeth Rosenbaum (Matthew) of Spanish Fork.

Anthony and Marielen’s nine grandchildren are: Adrianna Slade Green, Adam Slade, Samantha Slade, Spencer Bench, Lindsey Bench Alder, Kayla Bench, Megan Bench, Nicholas Rosenbaum, and Isabella Rosenbaum.

Friends and family can pay their respects at a public viewing on Thursday evening, February 18, from 6–8 pm or Friday morning, February 19, 9:45–10:45 am at the Walker Funeral Home, 187 S. Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah. Funeral services for friends and family will be held on Friday, February 19, at 11 am, also at the Walker Funeral home in Spanish Fork. Masks and social distancing will be required

A live-stream of the service will be available below. The stream can also be viewed on-demand after the funeral. A video montage of Anthony’s life can be viewed below and personal condolences for the family can be left by clicking on the “Condolences” tab at the top of this page.

In lieu of flowers, please hug your loved ones and spend some special time together.

Watch livestream of services here

DVD Slideshow Tribute

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Viewings

Thursday, February 18, 2021

6-8 p.m. Walker Funeral Home

187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork

Map

Friday, February 19, 2021

9:45-10:45 a.m. Walker Funeral Home

187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork

Map

Funeral Service

Friday, February 19, 2021

11 a.m. Walker Funeral Home

187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork

Map

Interment

Spanish Fork City Cemetery

420 South 400 East, Spanish Fork

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23 Condolences for Anthony J. Christensen

Condolences(23)

REPLY
Melissa Wiley says
February 16, 2021 at 7:30 pm

Marilee and Margaret and family, Iam so sorry for the loss of your father. I have many fond memories of playing at your house as a young girl and how fun your dad was to be around. And later shopping at their scrapbook store when I opened my own in Manti. Your dad was always so nice and inviting, and fun to be around. Again Iam sorry for your loss. Melissa Hiskey Wiley
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Carolyn Sorensen says
February 17, 2021 at 5:27 am

Dearest Marielen, I am so sad to hear this news. Tony is such a special man and the two of you are so precious to Randy and me. I loved the video. What a wonderful story. It hasn’t ended and it never will. I will be watching the funeral and wishing I could hug you in person.
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Carolyn Sorensen says
February 17, 2021 at 3:08 pm

I am so sorry, Marielen. Tony was a very special person, and I will miss him. I loved seeing those beautiful pictures. Your life together was a joy, and it’s good to know it will continue.
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Helen Atkin says
February 17, 2021 at 6:44 pm

My heart is with you this day, as I recall my sweet friend Marielen, from bygone days, serving with you and Ann in the Stake Primary. Wasn’t that about 100 years ago? You were and always have been an inspiration to many, especially me! I’ve always loved Mac Anthony’s and the goodness found there. Good memories on many levels, because of the influence of you and Tony. Always the perfect team! You are in my heart, on my mind, and prayers are being sent heavenward on behalf of you and your dear family. Please know I care!
xoxox
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Verla Mecham says
February 17, 2021 at 6:50 pm

[ am so sorry to hear about Tony , I went clear through school with him and he was one of my dearest friends . I always said he was the one that got me through Algebra . i loved seeing you guys at Chuck A Rama. one of the last times i was standing looking at the deserts and he came up behind me and said Do you know what you are doing i tols him Did i ever. Heart Broken sending my love to you and family
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Steven and Kathleen Farr says
February 17, 2021 at 7:01 pm

Dear Christensen family, We are so grateful that Miriam called to let us know about Tony. We sure loved living on Payson Main Street as neighbors. More recently working in the temple with Tony and Marielen. So thankful to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ allows us to miss him but not to worry about him. We pray for peace and comfort for you all.
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Donna Eddy says
February 17, 2021 at 7:06 pm

Dear Marielen and Family
I want you to know how much I love you and AJ…I have so many fond memories of all of our time in Elk Ridge together. I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time when we have to say goodbye to our love ones for awhile.
Oh how thankful we have the knowledge of the gospel and that we will be together for forever. Marielen you know I know how hard this is…May you be blessed with the strength and peace you will need. I am sure AJ and Paul and other good friends from Elk Ridge are enjoying seeing each other.
I love you!
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  Jack L Stickney says
  February 18, 2021 at 12:55 pm
  
  Dear Marielen and family; Please accept my sincerest condolences and prayers at this time of sadness yet joy at Tony’s passing. I worked for Tony as a teenager at Christensen’s in 1972 and 1973 before departing on my mission; and again for a short time upon my return. Tony was a patient, understanding and forgiving employer, mentor and friend. He trusted me and gave me more responsibility than I was qualified for, gaving me great confidence in myself and my abilities. I’ll always cherish his arm of friendship and the influence he had on my life.
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Charles & Audra Thorpe says
February 17, 2021 at 7:45 pm

We are blessed as a couple to have had the opportunity to get to know both of you at the store to a degree and mostly at the Payson Temple. We could feel your sincere love and kindness to everyone. Thank you for your great example where ever you are and whom ever you are with. May your memories of all the wonderful things you have done together as a family and as a couple stay close to your heart. May Heavenly Father bless you as a family with the peace and love you need at this time.
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Blanche Adams says
February 17, 2021 at 8:16 pm

So sorry to hear of Tony’s passing. He is a wonderful man who loves his Savior and his family.
Always kind to all who knew him. A great “ boss”. He will be missed greatly
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Diana & Lee Freeman says
February 17, 2021 at 10:23 pm

Dear Marielen! I was thinking just today that I needed to call you to wish you a Happy Birthday – – it’s been too long since I have reached out. And then Donna Eddy let me know that your darling husband AJ passed away last week. He is truly the best of the best and you are so blessed to have him be yours forever. You were amazing neighbors when my mother Marilyn Russell and I lived next door to you. I will always remember the day when my blind cat was lost and AJ spent some of that day helping me try to find him. Then he asked if I had prayed to find him. I told him that I had but it wasn’t until 3:00 a.m. that I was prompted to go look over by the golf course and that is where I found him. AJ was always so kind and had one attribute that I don’t think many people have – – that of patience. He is a wonderful, kind man and everyone loves him. And we love you too! Know that you are in our prayers.
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Joan Peterson says
February 18, 2021 at 12:49 am

Ken and I are so sad on the passing of Tony. He was a dear friend and classmate. We admired him so much. He was an important part of all of our school years and will be missed greatly. Our condolences to all of Tony’s family.
Ken and Joan Peterson
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Stan and Karen Riding says
February 18, 2021 at 4:07 am

Marielen, I learned to make Book of Remembrances for our children by looking at the beautiful books you made for yours. I loved your store in Spanish Fork. Also enjoyed our association in both the Provo and Payson Temples. Both of you radiate your love for people and for the Lord. A.J. was a marvelous sealer and we appreciated his sincere friendliness, his smile and his dedication to serving the Lord.
We pray for you and your family to feel the peace and love that the gospel brings into each of our lives.
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Lynn S Coray says
February 18, 2021 at 3:13 pm

What a full, accomplished and beautiful life. I loved the video tribute. It was truly a pleasure and honor to serve with Pres. Christensen. Surely he was a man of great faith and an extraordinary student of the scriptures. Many were blessed by his service, wisdom and willingness to follow the direction of the spirit. We will always remember how Tony and Marielen invited us into their home and celebrated with us the arrival of our daughter Jill. Thanks to both of you for so very much.
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Amy Josephine Oaks Long says
February 18, 2021 at 7:04 pm

Dear Aunt Marielen and sweet cousins,
My heart is full of love and dear memories as I watched the beautiful tribute video and read my Uncle Tony’s obituary. I will always remember his kind smile and caring heart from the time when I have my first memories visiting your home in Spanish Fork, and shopping at the Christensen’s store. As I grew up and went to BYU, and through many years we would spot each other in the BYU Family History Library and talk about our family and about genealogy. My Uncle Tony was a master genealogist and I witnessed a fraction of the hard work that he put into making sure our family lines were traced accurately and that temple work was done for our family. I have always looked up to him and been grateful for his mentoring, his dedication, and his example in all things important in life. I am grateful that you are a family who saved and shared all these memories and can now be blessed forever through the documentation of your family’s joy. Please know how grateful I am to have such a loving and kind Uncle Tony. Sending love, Amy Josephine Oaks Long
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Daryl Chandler says
February 18, 2021 at 8:07 pm

It was a great pleasure for me to serve with Pres. Christensen as the stake clerk several years ago. He was a great, caring man who was dedicated to service and his family.
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Eva Pearl Stoneman says
February 18, 2021 at 10:43 pm

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. President Christensen was such a special and spiritual leader whose light shined brightly. I remember him as Josephine’s little brother when we were in High School and then as our Stake President who I dearly loved. Many important events in our family ae untwined with him. He was a pillar in the community and church. May God Bless His Family and Loved Ones. Eva Pearl Stoneman
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Cathie Downs and sons says
February 19, 2021 at 2:43 am

Marielen and A.J. were the 1st people we met when we moved into our house in Elk Ridge 15 years ago. They welcomed us into the Ward and neighborhood with arms full of hot delicious food for our 1st supper in our new home. A.J. was our Home Teacher the entire 12 years we lived there.
He was such an amazing example to my sons and I, giving us his time and attention, many healing and beginning of school year Blessings, Spiritual guidance, and even being Daniel’s escort when he went through the Provo Temple before he served his Mission. Our family will remember his infectious smile and laughter, the stories he always shared that helped us get through our trials, and his willingness to help in any way he could. Not living close to family, Marielen and A.J. were surrogate grandparents to my 3 sons. My 2 youngest sons received the Priesthood through A.J., which made it all the more special to them. Our thoughts, prayers and love go out to Marielen and their family. Always a Missionary, A.J. has been called to his next Mission which we know he will most definitely have much success in and teach oh so many. A.J., you will be in our hearts forever.
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Mel, Shirley Hudman says
February 19, 2021 at 7:40 pm

Marielen, we send our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. We recall all the special moments we shared when you were in 5th Ward. We so appreciated Tony and you when he was Bishop and Stake President. We reflect on the wonderful dances 5th Ward used to have and the competitions we used to have. We recall the 2 times it came down to a draw and both you and we were awarded the prize. We love you and have cherished your friendship. Mel and Shirley Hudman
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Leticia Oaks Strong says
February 19, 2021 at 7:48 pm

Aunt Marielen and family, what a beautiful service I watched this morning. I’m grateful to have learned more about Uncle Tony through your words and heartfelt expressions of love. I always felt of his gentle and kind nature but never truly appreciated who he was until now. Thank you for sharing with us such a beautiful tribute to a great man. Sending my love, Leticia Oaks Strong
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Chris Toronto says
February 19, 2021 at 7:56 pm

Dear Marielen and family,
Our prayers, love and thoughts continue with you. I have many happy memories growing up with Tony and our Christensen families. He was always a hard worker and example to me in every way. We shared a year together in Stover Halls during our junior year at BYU when he served as Junior Class President. He and Marielen made it possible for Judy and me to move into their beautiful basement apartment in Provo as they left to go East to graduate school. As others have mentioned he was also a great example to me in family history and Temple service.

No doubt there will be a special gathering of family and friends on both sides of the veil as we gather to celebrate Tony’s life and his great influence for good during his earthly journey. We look forward to a joyful reunion and reunions in the eternities to come.

Judy, Shannon and I watched the celebration, graduation and memorial service. It was extraordinary as we felt the love of those beyond and the love of our Savior and Father in Heaven through words and music. Thank you and bless you all.
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Jonathan Waite says
February 21, 2021 at 12:45 am

Aunt Marielen and cousins,
So sorry to heat about Uncle Tony’s passing. I know my mom (and all of us as well) would have loved to be there, but our thoughts and prayers are with you. With the wonders of modern technology, we were able to witness the beautiful tribute to Uncle Tony. What a wonderful service and sentiments from all the family members. I am grateful for all of the family history that Uncle Tony did. He’s having an awesome reunion with Grandpa and Grandma Christensen.
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Claudia Clayton says
March 14, 2021 at 7:04 am

Oh, Marielen, for some reason I’ve been thinking deeply of you and Tony recently. I just stumbled on this news tonight. You and he have been such an important part of my life. All my sympathy, and all my love.