National guardsman, sheriff’s officer, county commissioner, state senator and all-around leading Teton County citizen, Leland Christensen passed away overnight Thursday surrounded by his family in an Idaho Falls hospital. Leland was quietly being treated for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when he came down with COVID.
Upon contracting COVID, Christensen was admitted to the local hospital on December 19th, and then began fighting pneumonia and complications from his cancer and chemotherapy. He was moved to a regional hospital on Christmas Eve and then admitted to the ICU December 29th where he had remained. Arrangements for a memorial service are still pending.
Upon hearing of Leland’s death, Senator John Barrasso said, “Leland represented the very best of Wyoming. He devoted decades of his life to serving others. First in the Army, then as a sheriff, county commissioner and a state senator. Leland always put his heart and soul into everything he did. It was a privilege to know him and work alongside him on behalf of Wyoming.”
Senator Lummis issued a statement saying, “Leland’s death cuts me to the depths of my heart. Leland was all Wyoming – he was tough as nails, endlessly patient and unwaveringly kind.”
Congresswoman Liz Cheney said, “Very sad to learn of the passing of Leland Christensen. …Leland will be missed, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
