John Christensen

On October 22, 2022, John Carl Christensen, age 81, passed away peacefully at the Agape Hospice in Calgary, AB. 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.

A memorial service will be held in Airdrie, AB on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 1:30 PM MST.  To join the live stream and sign the guest book please click here.