Our beloved father and grandfather, Leonard Wayne Christensen, 94, passed away March 25, 2009, in Shelley, Idaho, at the home of his daughter, Marsha.

He was born Aug. 27, 1914, in Shelley, Idaho, to Leonard Lorenzo Christensen and Sarah Esther Gardner. He was the oldest son in a family of nine children. He attended Shelley schools and after graduation attended ISU. He was a good student and excelled in mathematics.

On June 6, 1935, he was married to Virginia Robinson in Idaho Falls. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on Oct. 2, 1946. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has held many different positions. He served as a temple ordinance worker for eight years and loved to attend the temple. He served a stake mission and was involved in genealogy work. He held a responsible position for the Shelley Mexican labor camp. He farmed and worked at the Lincoln, Blackfoot and Shelley sugar factories as a chemist. He also worked at the AEC (atomic energy site) as an instrument specialist. He loved anything relating to the lab and science. He enjoyed sports and especially loved baseball. He was chosen to play on the all-area all star team. He loved to read a good book and loved to put together puzzles.

Wayne loved music. He enjoyed playing the clarinet and was very good. He liked to sing and sang in some quartets. He also enjoyed listening to his children sing. Wayne loved to have fun and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a wonderful gardener and loved to share his produce with his neighbors. Wayne loved small children and especially loved spending time with his family. He will be remembered for his integrity and his hard work.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; parents; three brothers and two sisters; a granddaughter; and a great-granddaughter. He is survived by eight children: Sharon (Joey) Gardner, Janet (Lloyd) Searle, Marsha (Jesse) Dye, Allan Jay (Donna) Christensen and Vicki (Larry) Bateman, all of Shelley, Robert Wayne (Bobbi Jo) Christensen of Pocatello, Steven Shelley (Jerri) Christensen of Reno, Nev., and Paula (Curtis) Young of Boise. He has 55 grandchildren, 97 great-grandchildren and 34 great-great-grandchildren. He has two surviving sisters, Monta Kidman and Dorothy Kotter, and one brother, Neldon (Julia) Christensen, all of Shelley.

The family will receive friends this evening from 6:30 to 8:30 at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W. Oak St. in Shelley, and Saturday morning from 11:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. at the Shelley South Stake Center, 675 S. Milton Ave. in Shelley. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. at the Shelley South Stake Center. Burial will be in Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.nalderfuneralhome.com.

obituary printed in Idaho Falls Post Register March 27, 2009.