Legrande L. Christensen

Gunnison, Utah - LeGrande Loyal Christensen passed peacefully from this life on May 29, 2014, with his daughter at his bedside, from natural causes due to a long battle of poor health, in Draper, Utah. LeGrande was educated in the local Gunnison Valley schools and continued his education graduating from Snow College with an Associates of Arts and from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors of Arts with high honor of Suma Cum Laude. He served a 2 1/2 year honorable mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Bavarian German Mission. LeGrande taught History and German at Murray Junior High School at the beginning of his career. He was a successful interior decorator, specializing in fine arts, furniture, and antiques. One of his most challenging projects was at the Hotel Utah before it became the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. He cataloged and appraised the contents of The Hotel Utah while working with many LDS Church leaders. It was an immense, lengthy project, which he accomplished to its completion. LeGrande was a man of many talents, among them are playing the coronet, the piano, the organ, as well as his expertise in design. He owned a beautiful furniture store, LeGrande Originals of Salt Lake and Gunnison, an up and coming travel agency, Trio Travel in Cottonwood, and Julie's Frozen Yogurt on Main Street in Gunnison. He was also involved, and a great contributor to, his parent’s apparel shop, Lila Lee Apparel in Gunnison. LeGrande had a great appreciation for the Masters of Art and Music and enjoyed many of the fine things of this life. He enjoyed the theater and the opera. He was a world traveler and enjoyed the varied cultures they offered. He was in Germany when the Berlin Wall was toppled. LeGrande was a member of the LDS church and held many callings. He married Mary Ann Clyde in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. This marriage brought a son and daughter, Ron and Julie into the family. Although they divorced, they remained friends. LeGrande is survived by his daughter Julie Ann (Andrew) Howell, four grandchildren, Taylor, Caitlin, Tanner, and Tate all of Draper, and his sister, Lila Lee Christensen of Gunnison. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Ron Clyde Christensen, his younger brother Joe L Christensen and a half sister, Cleda Dee Thrasher. Graveside services were held at the Gunnison City Cemetery on May 31, 2014. If you have any memories you would like to share, please email juliehowell@live.com God be with you 'til we meet again.