In Loving Memory of
John Carl Christensen
April 29, 1941 – October 22, 2022
Memorial Service on Saturday, November 12, 2022
1:30 PM MST
Airdrie, Alberta
In-person service by invitation only.
All are welcome to join via the live stream.
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Pictorial Tribute
On October 22, 2022, John Carl Christensen, age 81, passed away peacefully at the Agape Hospice. John was born on April 29, 1941, on the family farm in Leask, Saskatchewan.
John is lovingly remembered by his dedicated companion and caregiver, Jeanine Reeves; his children: Donna (Tom) Nelson, Darlene Christensen, Kelly (Shannon) Christensen, 6 grandchildren, 3 great granddaughters, and Terry Christensen, the mother of his children; his sisters: Yvonne (Bert) Diehl, Christine (Mel) Kuhn, brother-in-law Jerry Brad, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunt, cousins, and many friends. John was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Ernestine Christensen, his brother Paul Christensen, and his sister Mary Anne Brad.
John contacted polio at the age of 14, which paralyzed his legs. He learned to walk with crutches; however, many years later he became wheelchair-bound. In 1969, at the age of 28, while flying his private plane and spotting cattle in the Royal Community pasture west of Leask, John lost altitude, hitting tree branches, which caused the plane to burst into flames. He was rescued by one of the cowboys, Albert Primeau. John suffered severe burns to 50% of his body and spent 8 months in hospital. He lost the fingers on his right hand. John’s near-death experience from the plane crash, and recovery experience in the hospital, prompted him to consider eternity. As a result, in the early 1970s he made a choice to commit his life to God.
John was an avid businessman and entrepreneur, a man not afraid to take a risk. He set up numerous companies: Christensen Agency, Rose Realty, Uncle Tom’s Logging, Keeley Lake Lodge, a Ford dealership, a contract setting up Saan Stores throughout the prairie provinces, and Global Disability. Through Global Disability, with the help of many volunteers, John collected wheelchairs and mobility equipment to be shipped to Vietnam and South Africa and given to people who were disabled as a result of war. Those receiving this equipment would break down in tears of gratitude. On one of his trips to Vietnam, John renewed his vows to God and found peace again.
John was a compassionate man who sometimes sat by the deathbed of friends and held their hands as they passed away. He even had a little part in their funeral services.
John will be terribly missed, and his work was beneficial to many.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Agape Hospice for their kind loving attention in his last days.
Joyce Bartos Pitzel
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It is quite some time since John passed away, but I just now listened to the funeral service and looked at the photos. Mervin hâd forwarded the link to me. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. Christine and Yvonne, I have many memories of you. I didn’t know that Maryanne hâd passed away so that was another sad loss for you. Kindest regards.
Mayhew & Nancy Lloy
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We met John on our many trips from New Brunswick to Calgary to see our daughter’s family, Patty -Jo Puffalt. We last seen him on September 2021. Visiting John was always a highlight of our trip. He always had stories but his spirit is what
Impressed us the most. He will be missed.
Orin and Shirley Grovum
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Our sympathy to the family. We have known John for a long time. For many years, when John could no longer drive at night, Orin would have Tuesday lunch with him and they’d read that week’s study together. Orin will miss him, as will many of John’s friends.
Brian & Elaine King (Munro)
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Sorry to hear of John’s passing. Thoughts are with his family today. John was a special friend to my Dad, Clarence Munro and I remember John from Melfort days.B
Rita Rhodey
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We were privileged to know John. He will be missed.
Deep sympathy to the family. George & Rita Rhodey
Milton Bartos
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My sincere condolences to johns family
may you have peace and comfort in this time
Della Meurin
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My dad, Don Cameron, enjoyed John’s books and would tell me all about them. My condolences to the family. Della Meurin
Sam and Linda Third
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We read your book and enjoyed your life story we got to know you by talking with other Friends!! Deep sympathy to the family and friends of John!
Murray & Linda Puffalt
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Sincere sympathy to John’s family. We always enjoyed times spent with John.
Andy and Joyce Haines
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Our sincere condolences to Janine and John’s family.
He was a good soldier. Farewell John
Helle Frisgaard
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I send my condolences to the Family and to Terry, Donna , Darlene , Kelly and their family.
John was Cousin to my Dad Henry.
I met John and all of our lovely Canadian family in my first trip to Canada in 1987. I was met with Love and kindness. I am so thankful ❤️
Rest In Peace John.
Love from Helle ❤️
Karen Johnson
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I was saddened to read this. Many years ago John was a boarder in our home in Melfort, Sask. He was in Melfort for legal reasons. His stay was cut short when we had a house fire.
John was an interesting man. We enjoyed many of his stories.
Rest in peace John.
Larry & Gladys Lee
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Our condolences to the family .
We met John a few times at Gospel Meeting and were encouraged by his efforts .
Lana Lauder encouraged us to read his book and provided us with one .
It was an inspiring account .
Larry & Gladys Lee
Myrna K
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I also wish to offer sincere condolences to all of John’s family – his children and their families, his siblings and their families – and to Jeanine, who I know he loved and appreciated very much.
Myrna Kohen
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I have had the honour of calling John a near and dear friend since working with him on his book, The 13th Rope, in 2010/11. We cemented our friendship through countless hours of discussing his life story, a story he wanted told as sincerely and truthfully as possible. When the book was completed I realized what a unique and incredibly exceptional person he was, and how very fortunate I was to have played a part in production of the book. Thank you, John, for the gift of your friendship throughout the past thirteen years. Thank you for your unconditional caring, your kindness, your humour, your genuineness, and for so much more. You will forever have a special place in my heart.
Herb and Marcie Kreese
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Our sincere condolences to all the family.
Michael Bærentsen
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Dear Family
It was a pleasure for us to learn and meet lovely John.
He was so Nice and kind to our visit in Canada.
We Will always remember John with a smile, god bles you.
From Denmark
Michael Bærentsen & Family.♥️
Penny and Delbert Lewis
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A number of years ago we heard about the “13th Rope”! As we were planning our annual “flotilla” on the west coast, we thought a book like this would be a good read. I called Katherine who John had hired to sell his books and ordered one. Next day the courier came with two cases! I called Katherine to tell her of the error and she said it’s no error as I know you can sell an extra 23! Everybody loved the book and we had to order more. John kindly asked if we could come to Calgary to go out to eat at his favorite Chinese Restaurant by which we did. He was so kind and caring in every way and addressed the needs of others before ever thinking of himself. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and feel so privileged to have known such a special man. Our love, Penny and Delbert Lewis Pincher Creek, AB
Al Habicht
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John was a friend who wore many hats. We got to know John two ways. First we shared in the same fellowship and second his daughter Darlene chose to make our home one of her hangouts. When she was a teen. Darlene and her young friends kept us young and it was a fun chapter in our lives. Al and Eleanor Habicht.
Helen Galbraith
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Want to express my sincere sympathy to John’s family. Memories go back many years to Melfort days. John and my father, Sidney, were friends.
Enjoyed reading his book. “The 13th Rope. “
Lana Lauder
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My sincere condolences to all of John’s family and friends! John always had such a gentle, ready smile, and he came across with such warmth, love, and compassion. I loved reading his life’s story, “The 13th Rope”, which he gifted to me. I was always delighted and inspired when I saw him! He was an inspiration just to keep on going – and no matter the cost, just to keep true.