Visitation: Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service

Service: A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD. 

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          Gary Andrew Christensen, age 42, died peacefully on Friday, May 17, 2024 surrounded by his family and close friends at Sanford USD Medical Center. He fought a courageous battle with cancer for 15 months. A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD. Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service.

          Gary was born on June 10, 1981 to Joe and Leah (Balding) Christensen in Mitchell, SD. Gary attended school in Kimball, Wall, Warner, and Brookings before graduating from Arlington High School in 1999. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army where he proudly served his country for 7 years. This included tours to both Iraq and Kuwait. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Brookings where he worked as an IT Specialist for SDSU. Through close mutual friends, Gary met the love of his life, Kayla Koopsma.

          Kayla & Gary were married on June 12, 2010. They made their home in Brookings where they also welcomed their 1^st born, Claire, in October of 2011. In 2012 the family moved to Sioux Falls. Their family was completed with the birth of Chloe in May of 2014. Gary continued to work at SDSU until 7 years ago when he began working for Sonifi Solutions in Sioux Falls.

          When not working, Gary enjoyed golfing, wood working, tinkering in the garage, and spending time with family and friends. He was also the go-to-guy for all his family’s IT needs. His proudest achievement was being a Dad. He loved his girls deeply and treasured the time he spent with them.

          Grateful for sharing his life are his wife of almost 14 years, Kayla; daughters, Claire and Chloe; parents, Joe and Jill Christensen and Leah Balding Christensen; sister, Sara (Bryce) Wollan; brother, Dustin (Samantha) Christensen; grandpa, Gary Balding; in-laws, Dave and Julie Koopsma; sisters-in-law, Laura (Todd) Trumm and Angie (Adam) McAthie; nieces and nephews, Alyvia, Jake, Sam, Jack, Brody, and Desirae; along with numerous other extended relatives and friends.

          He was preceded in death by grandparents, Nadyne Balding, Helen Balding, Verla Balding, and Joe and Alice Christensen; uncles, Newt Balding and Bob Christensen; and nephew, Bob Trumm.