Christian LaVell Christensen, age 73, of Richland, Washington, died peacefully Monday night, June 17, 2013 in his home. Born February 3, 1940 in McGill Nevada, he was the youngest of four boys and the son of Luella Ernstsen and Christian LeRoy Christensen.

Chris was a soldier in the United States Army and served a tour of duty in Korea. He was later recruited by Battelle to come to Richland in 1967 with his wife and high school sweetheart Gwen Steele. He started his career as an instrument technician, worked his way up the ladder, and eventually retired as an engineer from Areva in 2001. Chris loved early morning church basketball, singing and playing his guitar and anything in which his family was involved. He played basketball at 5 AM three days a week well into his 60's, played in a band called Margie and the Sidekicks, and spent many hours attending anything and everything in which his children and then grandchildren participated. He served faithfully in his church where he held the office of High Priest. After retirement, he and Gwen served a church mission helping people search for their ancestors at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a loving husband, father, and friend that would do anything for anyone.

He is survived by two of his brothers Gene and Darrell Bennet, his loving wife of 52 years, Gwen Steele; along with their four children; Gary and Kathy Christensen, Jill and John Rhode, Tory and Wendy Christensen, and Courtney and Michael Edden; 8 grandchildren, McKenzie, Kade, Kaleb, Colby, Lauren, Daniel, Dimitri, and Kate along with many other loving relatives.

Memorial services for Chris Christensen will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, June 24, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1321 Jadwin, Richland, WA. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A viewing will be held at Einan's Funeral Home at 915 By-Pass Hwy, Richland, WA on Sunday, June 23, 2013 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.