Beth Marie Chappell Christensen

Gunnison, Utah - Beth Marie left this life peacefully at the age of 74 on Dec. 9, 2024, in Spanish Fork, Utah. She was born in Salina, Utah on February 14, 1950, a daughter of Wendell Holden and Burla Shurtz Chappell. Beth loved growing up in her small-town Lyman, Utah where she attended and graduated from Wayne High School. After graduating High School Beth attended Utah State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. 

Beth found great fulfillment in her first job as a teacher in Grand Junction, Colorado. Beth’s heart was always full as she saw her students learn to read and achieve milestones in their early years of education. 

Beth married Joe L Christensen of Gunnison on July 29, 1977, in her hometown of Lyman. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple on August 8, 1978. Joe L. passed away November 2, 2004.

She continued her love of teaching at Gunnison Elementary for a brief time. As she entered motherhood, Beth opened Rainbow Connection pre-school in her home allowing her to share her love of her family and educate the children within the community. Beth returned to Gunnison Elementary School where she found her true love of teaching pre-school for many years. While she loved teaching, she saw the importance of increasing her education, so she returned back to school earning a master’s degree in early childhood education from Southern Utah University. Later retiring from the South Sanpete School District.

Beth is the mother of two amazing sons Joseph Rudi Christensen and McKay C. Christensen (deceased) who were her pride and joy; she loves them dearly along with three beautiful grandchildren, Nixon L, Langley K, and Memphis R Christensen. 

After losing her husband Joe L she later married Kirtley William Jensen of Price on Dec 28, 2011, but later divorced. 

Beth is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous callings. Serving in the primary brought her much joy and provided many fond memories. Beth loved crocheting and watching a good movie. Some of the greatest memories shared by her loved ones include her servant-minded heart, and above all, times of laughter and love. Beth was a beautiful person both inside and out.

Left to cherish her memory are her son Rudi Christensen and wife Kristen, three grandchildren Nixon, Langley, and Memphis Christensen all of New Bern, North Carolina; her brother, Douglas (Margaret) Chappell of Apple Valley; sisters, Alice (Bruce) Christenson of Gunnison; and Jeanette (Dan) Taylor of Loa, as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe L Christensen, son, McKay C. Christensen, and parents, Wendell and Burla Chappell. 

Funeral Services will be held Saturday Dec. 21, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in the Gunnison LDS Stake Center where friends may call for a viewing one hour prior to the services. 

Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Beth’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.

Burial will be in the Lyman cemetery at 3:00 P.M. Saturday afternoon under the care of the Springer Turner funeral home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.