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Mark Christensen Obituary
Great Falls —Mark Albert Christensen, 65, of Great Falls, passed away on Thursday, July 16th 2015 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
A celebration of life for Mark will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. at the Black Eagle Community Center. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Mark was born on February 27, 1950 in Great Falls, MT to Ira and Thelma (Walker) Christensen. He graduated from Great Falls High School in 1968 and attended the College of Great Falls. He joined the Air National Guard and was part of the security forces for six years. Mark was a dedicated manager at City Motors before opening his own business, Mark Motors. His customers were able to appreciate his honesty, integrity, and friendship for many more years.
Mark married Ginger Bragstad on March 14, 1970; they had one daughter, Kerry Ann. Mark had many interests and hobbies in his life. Bidding, buying, trading, selling, analyzing, discussing, fixing, racing.... cars were his life! He enjoyed Nascar, stock car racing, drag racing, street rods, classics, car shows, and most of all, his profession. His most prized possession was his 1934 Ford Coupe. Mark also enjoyed playing card games, such as pinochle, black jack, euchre, cribbage, and poker. He was a member of the shuffleboard team at the Hi Ho, one of his favorite places! Mark loved being outdoors; he loved hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, spending time in the mountains, and swimming in the ocean.
Mark is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ginger Christensen; daughter Kerry (Doug) Otto; grandchildren Taylor Scott, Ryan Otto and Eryck Otto all of Great Falls; his sisters Mary Beth (Dave) Finch of SLC, Utah and Leah Kay Coburn of Preston, Idaho; 13 nieces and nephews; 20 great nieces and nephews and 2 great-great nieces and nephews; and a huge group of special friends, too numerous to mention. The many close friends that he left behind are a testament of his character as he was loyal, ethical, honest and giving.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Thelma Christensen; his brother Lance "Chris" Christensen, and Luke Eller; his great nephew.
Memorial Contributions can be made in memory of Mark to Peace Hospice of Great Falls; 2600 15th Ave. S, or the Animal Foundation; P.O. Box 3426, Great Falls, MT 59403.
Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mark Christensen
Randy Vukasin
July 26, 2015
So sorry to hear about Mark. We had some great times together. He will be missed.
Jennifer Hilderbrand
July 25, 2015
Ginger, I am so sorry about your loss -- too bad I didn't have the opportunity to meet Mark. From the articles posted, it seems like he was a wonderful man. As cousins, we were far apart for many years due to distance and busy lives that we all have.Take care and keep in touch....I drive from Mexico to Tucson -- a couple of times a month.....let me know when you are at your condo and maybe on one of my trips from Mexico..we can have lunch or something if you are in Arizona.........
Beth Davis
July 24, 2015
Ginger, We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Robin Auchterlonie and Beth Davis. P.s How is Coco?
Scott and Christie Dimke
July 24, 2015
Mark had a good soul. We are extremely sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Randy/Sue Babbitt
July 23, 2015
What a wonderful person Mark was. honest, hardworking, great business man. Very sorry for your loss.
Sherry Frasure
July 23, 2015
Ginger and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Mark. He will be missed. Blessings and prayers come your way.
July 22, 2015
DEAR.GINGER,,,SO,SO ,SORRY.ONLY TIME CAN HELP THIS SITUATION.THIS HAS TO BE THE HARDEST PART ABOUT LIFE.YOU SEE MARK MENTORED ME REALLY FROM DAY 1,OF MY PART-TIME CAR BUSINESS.AT THE AUCTION IN SPOKANE,MY HOME UP FOR COLLATERAL FOR THE CAR IM ABOUT TO BUY,TOTALLY SCARD WITTLESS,KNOWING NOTHING ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT,MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE WATCHING THE GREENHORN.I LOOK TO LEFT THEN THE RIGHT AND BESIDE ME STANDS THIS HUGE GUY I LOOK UP AND ITS MARK CHRISTENSEN LOOKING DOWN WITH HIS GREAT SMILE,I EXPLAINED TO HIM MY MENTAL STATE AND IMMIATELY HE BEGAN TO FIX IT.BY OUR THIRD ENCOUNTER AT SPOKANE AUCTION HE,MARK,HAD ME IN THE DRIVERS SEAT,SO TO SPEAK,NO WORRIES MAN...I WAS IN DIRECT COMPETITION OF HIM,,,BUT HE DID IT ANYWAY!!!THATS WHO MARK CHRISTENSEN IS.THANK YOU AINT ENOUGH. LARRY LA ROQUE&FAMILY
Shannon lawrence-Cameron
July 22, 2015
I am so very sorry for The Christensen family. Please know that you are in my Prayers and Thought. Mark you are the nicest person I have ever met. You will Missed and Loved. RIP Mark
Jim Howard
July 22, 2015
Few people get to enjoy a 53 year friendship with such a cheerful and interesting friend. Mark allowed me to experience what it means to have a lifelong friend......When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.....
July 21, 2015
Ginger and Family. We are so sorry for your
loss. We recently bought a car from him
and he went above and beyond to help us. It
was fun getting to spend some time with you
both in Arizona -- he will be truly missed.
Love, Laurie and Gary
Janice Jensen
July 21, 2015
So sorry to hear about Mark, I will always remember his SMILE :)
Janice Jensen - First Interstate Bank, Billings
Denise Burk
July 21, 2015
Taylor and the Otto Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The Burk Family --Adam, Denise, Michael and Trevor
Renee Miller
July 20, 2015
May the love of all friends and Family wrap tightly around you at this time. All my love to you Ginger , Kerry and family.
Jeanie & Bud Shanko
July 20, 2015
Ginger,We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Roxanne & Carl Christofferson
July 20, 2015
Ginger and Kerry and family,
We are so sorry for your loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. Whenever Carl had the "let's look at vehicles" bug-he immediately went to Mark's lot (and we bought one!) May all your wonderful memories bring you peace and help you through this difficult loss.
Dan and Nelda Stroop
July 20, 2015
Ginger and family, we are so sorry to hear about Mark. We will keep you in our prayers, and ask for peace and comfort for you all. May God Bless and be with you.
Maureen Scott
July 20, 2015
Kerry and family, We are so so sorry for your loss. Time and remembering the fond memories you have of your dad will help heal your pain. Take advantage of it.
John and Donna Dawsey
July 20, 2015
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your lossour thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. This came as a great shock. Mark was a wonderful person and we enjoyed each time we purchased our vehicle with Mark.
Roger Chovanak
July 20, 2015
Ginger sorry to here Mark Passing My prayers are with you and your family. I new Mark from the Air National Guard and we went hunting two times. I just lossed my wife on July 8th of epithelial ovarian cancer at peace hospice.
Vicki Kolokotrones Kharitonov
July 19, 2015
Dear Ginger, I am so sorry to hear of Mark's illness & passing. You two were always so great together. He was a good man and my aunt and uncle Betty & Guy Crowe loved him too. They bought so many cars from him over the years. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. Vicki
Barbara Lafrantz
July 19, 2015
Ginger, so sorry to hear about Mark's passing. I'll always remember him as being a handsome man with a big grin.
Warm regards.
fritz Hedrick
July 19, 2015
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
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