Neal Christensen

1937 - 2025

Neal Walter Christensen, 88, of Rexburg, Idaho, passed away on September 12, 2025. Born July 15, 1937, to Walter and Melva Christensen, Neal grew up working hard and playing harder on his family's farm in Shelley, Idaho. A proud 1955 graduate of Shelley High School, he excelled in football, baseball, and track before attending Utah State University.

Neal served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960. In 1960, he married Clarese Bloxham, and they were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together, they raised their six children in Rexburg. He enjoyed a long career with Utah Power & Light as a lineman, eventually becoming line supervisor until retiring in 1990. Never one to sit still, Neal joined the transportation department at Ricks College, happily driving buses for sports teams, Church history tours, and other college groups across the country. With a toothpick in his mouth and boundless optimism in his heart, Neal made life better for everyone around him.

After Clarese's passing in 1997, Neal found love again and a golfing partner when he married Carole Mason in 2005. They made their home in Labelle, surrounded by wonderful family, friends, and neighbors.

Neal loved golf, baseball, fishing, hunting, and watching a good ballgame on TV. Most of all, Neal enjoyed cheering on his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he was incredibly proud of. To Neal, everyone was a friend, and a stranger was simply a friend he had yet to meet.

He is survived by his wife, Carole; children Val (Lisa) Christensen, Tyra (Mark) Rammell, Kyle (Tammy) Christensen, Clay (Lesli) Christensen, Ryan (Laurie) Christensen, and Charese (Kelly) Baker; Carole's children Barbara Mason, Douglas (Ena) Mason, and Lynette (Bret) Olsen; siblings Brent and Kevin Christensen and Linea Russell; 40 grandchildren and 85 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Clarese, parents, Walter and Melva, brothers Ronald and Mark, and sister LaDean Bickley.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to The Homestead for their compassionate care during Neal's final month. Neal's legacy of kindness, hard work, and laughter will continue to bless all who knew him.

A viewing will be held Friday, September 19, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home, 61 N 1st E, Rexburg, ID 83440. Funeral services will be Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Labelle 1st Ward, 4223 E 528 N, Rigby, ID 83442, with a viewing from 9:30-10:45 a.m. and the funeral beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Burton Cemetery in Rexburg, ID.