Steven Jay Christensen

Hurricane, Utah - Steven Jay Christensen (Coach Steve) passed away on August 6, 2024, in Hurricane, Utah, after a long and difficult battle with the autoimmune disease Scleroderma.
Steve was born on June 12, 1945, in Los Angeles, California. His father, 2nd Lt. Donald Roy Christensen, was a B-17 pilot and was killed in action on March 2, 1945, just three months before Steve was born. His mother, Jocile Ursenbach Christensen, was left to raise two young boys at the age of 24. Jocile remarried Rulon Neilson in 1949, and Steve gained three sisters: Pat, Jackie, and Kathy. Rulon instilled in Steve a deep love for nature, fishing, and hunting, creating a happy blended family.
Steve grew up in Temple City, California, and graduated from Rosemead High School. He attended Pasadena City College for a year before serving as a full-time missionary in Argentina. Upon his return, he enrolled at Brigham Young University, where he met the love of his life, Mary Bernice Anderson. They were married in the St. George Temple on August 25, 1967, and both graduated from BYU in 1969 as educators.
Steve dedicated his life to teaching, with careers in Spanish Fork, Utah, Las Vegas, Nevada, and his beloved Hurricane High School in Hurricane, Utah. At Hurricane High School, he taught Spanish and English and coached various sports and academic competitions for 28 years. He was instrumental in recognizing students' academic achievements and worked with fellow teachers to develop the Unified Studies program. Steve retired from teaching in 2005, having developed many lifelong friendships with his cherished colleagues and students.
An athlete throughout his life, Steve maintained a keen interest in sports and was a world traveler who set foot on six of the seven continents. He loved learning about new cultures and embraced the people he met on his journeys. One of his favorite hobbies was Geocaching; he found over 11,000 caches and placed 300.
Steve was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding various callings with great dedication. He served as bishop of the Hurricane 6th Ward from 2000 to 2005 and later spent five years as an ordinance worker in the St. George Temple with his wife, Bernice. They also spent many years teaching Gospel Doctrine together, which they both cherished
Steve's battle with Scleroderma began over ten years ago and took a toll on his health. Despite numerous hospital visits and 14 months of dialysis for failing kidneys, Steve demonstrated remarkable resilience, giving his family many precious years with him
Steve was immensely proud of his three children and eight grandchildren. He loved watching their successes and was often the loudest cheerleader in the stands and the first to offer a hug. All three of his children hold Master Degrees, and both sons followed in his footsteps as educators.
Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Jocile; father, Donald; dad, Rulon; sister, Pat Luce; and brothers-in-law: Dick Luce and Dale Anderson
He is survived by his devoted wife, Bernice; his children: Jennifer Christensen Parker, Matt (Kimberly) Christensen, and Mark (Autum) Christensen; his eight grandchildren: Alexa, McKoy, Callie, Luke, Jack, Kade, Dax, and Nash; his brother, Don Christensen; sisters: Jackie (Darrell) Baker and Kathy (George) Staheli; brother-in-law, Clark (Maurine) Anderson; and sister-in-law, Judy Anderson.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the loving medical team at Liberty Dialysis, the compassionate caregivers at Sun Tree Home Health & Hospice, and the many friends, colleagues, and students who reached out to Steve with love, fond memories, and laughter.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Washington County School District Foundation for the students of Hurricane High School on behalf of Steve Christensen. https://www.washk12.org/foundation
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Metcalf Hurricane Valley Mortuary, located at 140 North Main Street.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hurricane Stake Center, 677 South 700 West, Hurricane, Utah. Interment will be in the Hurricane City Cemetery.
Services will be live streamed through both Zoom and YouTube at the following links: https://zoom.us/j/7170906794?pwd=OHNTU2tvMERlNmYvWExUYmNTaXlGdz09 https://youtube.com/@hurricanestakebuilding6503?si=HS_jvgvctHzq7F-1 Steven Christensen Funeral Service Program