Richard B. "Gus" & Janet H. "Jan" Christensen

Richard Bruce Christensen, passed away peacefully at home with family on December 6, 2022. Gus was born on September 8, 1933 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to William Allen Christensen and Katie Mae Just Christensen. From rockets and airplanes to snowmobiles and woodworking he made life interesting while passing on to his children and grandchildren a hard-work ethic, attention to detail and quality, and impeccable integrity that was a trademark of his life and a blessing to theirs.

Gus and Janet were married on March 18, 1954 in the Manti Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was the beginning of a lifetime love story and eternal partnership. Janet and Gus had four children, Chris, Joni, Mark, and Karen.

Gus graduated from Brigham Young University in 1955 and went to work at Aerojet in Southern California as a draftsman. After working in the aerospace industry and earning an engineering degree at night school, he moved the family to Everett, Washington in 1961 where he assumed the role of general manager at the local Pepsi-Cola Bottling and Distribution business which his father owned. He served in the community and in the Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Association where he served a term as President. In 1980 he started an A&W bottling business in Kent, WA and sold the Pepsi-Cola bottling business. In 1987, he started an Everett bottling and distribution business featuring A&W which he built with his family until his retirement. He was proud of his role in developing the A&W Cream Soda which we still enjoy today. Gus loved the work, the wonderful people he worked with and made lifelong friends around Snohomish County and the entire country.

He served faithfully in many positions in the local organizations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed serving as a bishop of the Everett 2nd Ward from 1980 to 1984 and then as a counselor in the Everett Stake Presidency for nine years. He loved the members of the Everett Stake.

Gus was a loving father to four children, granddad to ten grandchildren and a great-granddad to ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Chris, his brother Charles and sister Beverly.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Harmer Christensen and children Sara Christensen (widow of Chris), Joni (Mick) Ward, Mark (Sharon) Christensen, Karen (Mike) Broadwell.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah via Donate to BYU Student Scholarships. (please click on Donation link below)

A memorial service was held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 14 at the Port Gardner Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 110 50th Street Southwest in Everett.

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Janet Harmer Christensen

Janet Harmer Christensen, passed away peacefully at home with family on December 30, 2022. She was stricken with Parkinson’s for the last years of her life. Janet was born on January 3, 1935 in Springville, Utah, to William Reynolds Harmer and Ida Thalman Harmer. She grew up in Springville among many cousins. At the age of 16, she obtained employment at Cook’s ice cream shoppe in Provo, Utah where she met Gus Christensen - a frequent customer.

Janet and Gus were married on March 18, 1954 in the Manti Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had four children, Chris, Joni, Mark, and Karen.

Janet graduated from Springville high school in 1953 where she was a cheerleader for the Red Devils. She was ever loyal to her childhood friends and a group of them met annually until just recently. After Gus’ graduation from Brigham Young University in 1955, they moved to Southern California. They lived in West Covina for six years where Janet gave birth to three of their four children. In 1961, Janet and Gus moved the family to Everett, WA to run the local Pepsi-Cola bottling and distribution business. Janet worked alongside Gus and diligently supported him while raising their four children. She enjoyed spending time with her children and on a sunny day was known to drop everything to take them out to the lake or other outdoor adventure. Janet enjoyed sewing, often gifting her work to friends and family. In later years her trademark gift for wedding showers and birthdays was a beautiful hand-crafted apron. She also enjoyed sharing her talents with others by teaching them to sew, bake, can, quilt and other homemaking skills.

However, Janet had an adventurous side which was manifest in her love of waterskiing, snowmobiling with Gus, and world-wide travel. She was quite pleased with being able to slalom ski at age 75 and wished she could have continued.

She served faithfully in many positions in the local organizations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sought to follow the Savior’s example by lovingly serving others. She particularly loved serving in the Temple and was a worker in the Seattle Temple for many years.

Janet was a loving mother to four children, grandma to ten grandchildren and a great-grandma to ten great-grandchildren. She was also well known and loved by her many nieces and nephews. Janet was preceded in death by her husband Gus, her son Chris, her father Reynolds and mother Ida.

She is survived by children Sara Christensen (widow of Chris), Joni (Mick) Ward, Mark (Sharon) Christensen, Karen (Mike) Broadwell and siblings Ruth Eleanor Roylance, Albert (Pat) Harmer and Robert (Karyn) Harmer.

In lieu of flowers, please reach out and help someone in need as Janet so often did.

A joint memorial service for Janet and Gus was held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 14 at the Port Gardner Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 110 50th Street Southwest in Everett.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-FH.com for the Christensen family.