Jack Anderson
Mac and Joan CHRISTENSEN 1934 - 2019 1934-2020
Jack R. Anderson, age 75, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on June 23, 2020, after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. He will be missed by a large family who loved and adored him. Jack was born at home in Ephraim to Robert and Ellen S. Anderson. He was the second oldest of six children. As the oldest boy, he had a lot of responsibility on the farm and in the family. He graduated from Manti High School and Snow College, and he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Utah State University in animal science. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand, volunteered in the Utah National Guard, and fulfilled numerous church and civic responsibilities. Jack met his sweetheart, Eileen Averett, at Snow College. They were married on May 9, 1970 in the Manti Temple and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Jack enjoyed teaching agriculture and math at Snow College for 37 years. In 2019, he was selected as a Snow College Distinguished Alumnus.
Fred MacRay “Mr. Mac” Christensen’s life was full of service and support to his friends, family, and several charitable organizations, including Snow College. He passed away on October 11, 2019. Mac was married to his sweetheart, Joan Graham, also a Snow College graduate, for 66 years. Joan passed away shortly after Mac, on January 1, 2020. Mac and Joan had eight children, 39 grandchildren, and 47 great-grandchildren.
1944 - 2020
One of Jack’s greatest joys was cooking for a crowd. He spent 25 years cooking Sanpete BBQ Turkey with his family at Ephraim’s Annual Scandinavian Festival. Many summers you would find him at different fairs and shows cooking his famous turkey. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. His big personality and life-of-the-party persona will be greatly missed. You could always find him with the grandkids, whether it be on a 4-wheeler ride up the canyon, out in the yard, or on a roller coaster at Disneyland. The legacy Jack leaves behind is one of service, hard work, and giving to others.
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Mac was born on May 11, 1934, in Salina. He was raised in Sanpete County with his four siblings. Mac graduated from Snow High School and then from Snow College in 1953. He later received a Distinguished Alumnus Award at Snow College. Joan was born in Fairview on August 14, 1934, in Fairview and was raised in Manti.
"Mac and Joan Christensen" © By Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Courtesy of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
In 1952, Mac offered to give Joan a ride home from a Snow College basketball game, and the rest is history. They were married on June 23, 1953. After leaving Sanpete County, Mac and Joan moved to Salt Lake City, where Mac accepted a position at the Kennecott Copper Mine. When a union strike shut down the mine, Mac accepted a temporary position at Z.C.M.I. He was quickly promoted to salesman and then to assistant buyer, buyer, and divisional merchandise manager. Mac then opened a men’s clothing store, now known as Mr. Mac, in Bountiful. There are now nine Mr. Mac stores in Utah. Mac served on many boards, was the president of various clubs, and held a variety of church callings. Joan is known for her selfless service to family, church, and community. She provided meals for many occasions and sewed dozens of quilts and hundreds of costumes for children and grandchildren. The Christensens’ generosity extended to many, including Snow College, where they provided financial support to students through scholarships, while also helping with various other needs. They will be remembered as genuine friends who always looked for opportunities to help. 41
