Merwin Berthel €Œbert†Christensen

Merwin Berthel "Bert" Christensen, 89, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2020. He was born December 2, 1930 in Tremonton, Utah to Merwin Parley and Prescilla E. (Robbins) Christensen.

He graduated from Bear River High School and later attended Weber State University and Utah State University. He served in the North Central States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It covered North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. There he made many lifelong friends and spoke often of his wonderful missionary experiences.

After his mission, he served in the United States Army. He was a veteran of the Korean War where he was a chemical core inspector. He loved to share stories about the time he was stationed in Japan.

After serving honorably in the military he returned home and fell in love and had a daughter, CathyAnn Benson. After a short time, divorced. Then later married Marieta Hampton. They married and had 3 daughters. Carlee Burton (Mark), Carrie Lyn Christensen, and Angela Newbold (Jim). Unfortunately, they later divorced.

He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved adventure. Adventures behind the wheel of his truck or 4-wheeler or on his own two feet. He was happiest when he was in the mountains. He loved hunting, fishing, being at the cabin, or just going for a drive in the canyons. He had various jobs throughout his life and retired from the Ogden Army Depot. His favorite job however was working at the toll booth in Millcreek Canyon. He said that it didn't feel like work because he was surrounded by the mountains and enjoyed meeting people and making friends with them.

If you met Bert once, he called you his friend. He made friends easily. In fact, at Sagewood at Daybreak where he was living the last years of his life, they made him an ambassador. His job was to welcome new residents, show them around, and help them feel comfortable in their new home. He excelled at it and has made many new friends over the last couple years.

He really enjoyed tinkering and collecting. He collected everything! One of his favorite things to collect was rocks. He could see the beauty in the simplest of rocks. He would clean them up and polish them to the point where all could see their beauty.

He truly appreciated music. He could feel it deep within him and had wonderful rhythm. Dancing came naturally to him. He enjoyed ballroom dancing and even taught it for a time. He met his sweetheart, Pamela Margaret Harrison at a singles ward dance. Bert and Pam were married June 25, 1977 and were later sealed in the Jordan River Temple on September 25, 1992. Pam had 4 boys and 1 daughter that he adopted as his own. Tracy Christensen (Julienne), Christopher Christensen, Nathan Christensen (Lacey), Justin Christensen, Kami Smith (David). Kaussi Malmstrom (Sean) was born a few years after they married. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister (Launa), his wife (Pamela), his adopted sons (Tracy) and (Christopher).

They were members of a club that held monthly dances for many years, and found great joy dancing together. We like to think they can dance again-- now that they are back together.

He left behind numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. We love you Grandpa! This isn't Goodbye, it's till we meet again!

Thank you Sagewood and ALL the staff there that befriended, cared for, and loved our father and grandfather. Words are not enough to express our gratitude for you. Thank you to Canyon Hospice for being there at the end, and helping him to pass peacefully.

Due to current circumstances the viewing will be limited to extended family. The viewing will be from 11:00-11:45 am. The funeral service will begin at 12:00 pm on Friday, October 30th at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State St., Midvale, Utah.