Lars Christensen passed away on November 4, 2015. He was born December 17, 1973 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ronald Grant Christensen and Rebecca Anderson Paulsen.
Lars graduated from Skyline High School in 1993 and served a full time mission in Spokane, Washington for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and relied on the scriptures and his Heavenly Father to guide his life.
Lars married Bethany Little in the Salt Lake Temple in 1997 and graduated from the University of Utah in 2000. He later attended the University of Connecticut Dental School and received his D.D.S. in 2004. He completed a General Dentist Residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salt Lake City and spent many years as a dentist in private practice. Lars had a special place in his heart for the Veterans and the VA Hospital where he eventually returned to work full time.
For many years Lars and Bethany longed for children and were finally blessed with Finn and eventually Hazel. Their being sealed together as an eternal family was a special part of their lives and will continue to be a comfort as they look forward to being reunited.
Lars loved life and was an avid whitewater kayaker, backcountry skier, mountain biker, and dirt biker. He loved to travel and plan adventures. His happiest times were shared with his friends and family, outdoors and on a trail through the mountains or dessert.
At 19, Lars received a kidney transplant from his father. This incredible gift gave him years of enjoyable living that allowed him to go on a mission, marry, attend school and become a father. Later in his life, he also survived thyroid cancer. Years of dealing with chronic pain and other major health issues finally took his life.
Lars is survived by his wife Bethany, children, Finneas Lars (10 years) and Hazel Grace (4 years), his father, Ronald Grant (Marlese), Grandmother Ora Christensen, brothers and sisters, Ingrid (Gabriel) Pinto, Ash, Margaret (Scott) Soward, Erik, Liesl (Ben) Lambert, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Rebecca Anderson Paulsen, sister Rebecca Jane, and grandparents Abel and Bonnie Paulsen and Grant Christensen.
His family would like to thank the many doctors and nurses that cared for him at the University of Utah hospital over the years.
A viewing will be held at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S. on Monday, November 9th from 6:00pm- 8:00pm. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 10th, at 1:00pm, at the Olympus Stake Center, 2675 E. 4430 S., Holladay, Utah. Family will be greeting friends one hour prior to services.
