She was born on November 8th, 1932 to Edgar and Hazel Osguthorpe in Salt Lake City and was the youngest of nine children. When Renee was at the tender age of sixteen her mother passed away and Renee took on many of the responsibilities of cooking and caring for her father’s household, which became a talent she used to bless the lives of all who knew her.
Renee has always been a great woman of faith and loved her Savior Jesus Christ. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all her life, and devoted her life to service and caring for others and visiting those who needed a smile and some laughter.
Renee grew up in the East Millcreek area where she had many dear friends. They enjoyed singing and attending dances. It was at one of these dances that Renee caught the eye of a special man: William Earl Christensen.
She married the love of her life, William E. Christensen on June 24th 1953, in the Salt Lake Temple. Renee and Bill have always shared a love of dancing. “I Could Have Danced All Night” was Renee’s favorite song. They never missed an opportunity to show the family how much they enjoyed dancing together.
They were blessed with five children whom they treasure: Teresa, Kirk, Todd, Kent, and Sheila. Renee had a gift for running an organized home. She was an excellent cook, and an especially loving wife and mother. Renee and Bill have always been the most Christlike examples of generosity and kindness to their children and grandchildren. They built a legacy of love and humble service to all.
Renee was always front and center in the lives of her children and grandchildren: supporting their performances, cheering at sporting events - especially volleyball games in
St. George every October.
The family loved to ski, travel, and go on boating trips with friends. They made many fun memories over the years. Renee and Bill traveled the world with cherished friends and Renee filled many picture albums with their adventures.
Renee and Bill have twenty grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. As a grandmother, Renee took special care to create fun family parties and vacations together. She loved to play games of all kinds with her grandchildren. She made delightful cookies and treats that made any occasion spent in her home a sweet event. She had a close relationship with all her grandchildren and she kept up with their interests and activities.
Renee loved to sing and participated in her ward choir for many years. She sang in the 16th Notes Sextet singing group for over ten years. She was active in supporting community arts, especially the Utah Symphony where she served in the guild for many years. She also served in the Church Office Building as a Chairman/Hostess for six years.
She found treasured friendships through giving service. She served in the Young Women’s program for twenty years and loved being part of the girl’s lives. She spent many years serving in various roles in Relief Society with wonderful women.
Renee and Bill served an eighteen-month inner-city mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They were able to help activate many members, and teach the Gospel by example. They helped those in need and Renee taught others how to run a loving, well-managed home.
Renee was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by her husband Bill, daughter Teresa, Kirk (Karen), Todd (Cheryl), Kent (Shelly) and Sheila (Michael).
Viewings will be held Friday December 3rd, 2021 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm and on Saturday December 4th from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the Fortuna Ward building
located at 4407 South Fortuna Way, Salt Lake City.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 4th, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Fortuna Ward. Graveside services will be at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Cemetery.
Our family would like to thank the Fortuna Ward for all the love and care they have shown to Renee and Bill. And Anna from Intermountain Hospice for the devoted service she provided Renee.
We also want to give a most heartfelt expression of gratitude to Renee and Bill’s wonderful neighbors who have shown what it truly means to “Love thy neighbor.”
Thank you for your love and unfailing support and friendship.
Flower arrangements can be sent to Wasatch Lawn Memorial at 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah 84106. [email protected]
The family has designated Huntsman Cancer Institute for memorial contributions. Huntsmancancer.org / donate.
