Ted Vance Christensen

Ted Vance Christensen, 89, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 23, at his home in Royal City, surrounded by his family. Ted was a humble, generous, industrious man of faith who dedicated his life to making the world a better place through the many acts of service he provided to his family, neighbors, friends and community.

Ted was born in Ellensburg, Wash., on Aug. 28, 1934, to LeRoy and Lucy Fay Christensen. He was the fourth of what would eventually be five children in the family. He had an adventurous childhood on their family farm in Kittitas where he learned the value of hard work and good rambunctious fun. When he was just 14 years old, his father died, leaving the young Christensen brothers in charge of their family farm. Ted attended Kittitas High School where he excelled at many sports, but especially loved basketball. He graduated in 1952 and soon after married his childhood friend turned sweetheart, Norma Jean Jensen, on Sept. 26, 1953. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Ted’s adventurous pioneering spirit brought him and Jean, along with his brothers, Jay, Dee and Bob, to the Royal Slope in 1955, and they never looked back.

Ted was very invested in the small Royal community that he loved with all his heart. He always enjoyed a good project and considered them his hobby, which he said “was better than sitting around doing jigsaw puzzles.” He voluntarily oversaw many school and community projects including the RHS softball/baseball complex, the football field and track, the stadium tower, the weight room, City Hall renovation and park pavilion addition, along with the Royal LDS meetinghouse and seminary building, just to mention a few. When he signed on to a project, others willingly jumped on board and together they accomplished great things. Even in his retirement years, Ted could outwork just about anyone. 

He took great pride in beautifying his yard and the petunias he grew from seed were the envy of many. 

As a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ted was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ throughout his life. He served as a member of the Stake High Council and later as bishop of the Royal Second Ward. Much of his church service focused on the youth where he was a trusted and beloved mentor and leader to many. He and Jean served a two-year mission at Ensign Ranch with their good friends Mitt and Dorothy Robbins. It was one of the highlights of their retirement years.

The focus of Ted and Jean’s 70 years together has been their six children and spouses, along with their 29 grandchildren and 76 great-grandchildren. Together they created a legacy of service, commitment and love. Each member of their posterity has cherished memories of fishing trips with plenty of snacks ending at DK’s Diner, swimming in the pools he built for them in the backyard, and Fourth of July celebrations with homemade root beer and a fireworks display to rival any city. Whatever the grandkids were involved in, he showed up to, especially if it was a Royal Knight sporting event. He was rarely seen without his Royal Knight cap and was arguably their biggest fan. He and Jean ran the clock for many seasons of Royal Knight Football. 

Ted is survived by his wife, Jean; children Karen (Ken) Garner, Joseph (Rose) Christensen, Kelly Albertson, Peter (Melanie) Christensen, Michael (Lisa) Christensen and Ryan (Sabrina) Christensen; 29 grandchildren, 76 great-grandchildren and brother Robert (Joanne) Christensen. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Jay (Erma) Christensen, Dee Christensen and Joyce (William) Wright; grandson Dustin Ryan Christensen and great-granddaughter Rosie Sabrina Kay.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 357 Christensen Road, Royal City. Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kayser’s Chapel of Memories, Moses Lake and Friday at 10 a.m. in Royal City, just prior to the funeral services. The service will be livestreamed at zoom.us/j/93767471878?pwd=UGhzSXVZK3RybmpUK282T3llODJSUT09.

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.