Annette Hansen

Annette McAffee Hansen, age 80, died in Sandy, Utah, on September 6, 2023. Annette was born on February 9, 1943, in Lehi, Utah, to Boyd Harman McAffee and Louise Schow. She was the oldest of five children and loved her siblings, Silvia, Boyd Jr., Evelyn, and Dawn. 

Annette grew up in Provo in a home that valued hard work, family, fishing trips, books, and education. From her kind mother, Louise, she learned the importance of serving others and excellent homemaking skills, including baking, cooking, canning, and sewing. Her father taught the value of hard work and provided many opportunities for adventure. When she was 10, she moved with her family to Iran for two years, where her father worked with the United States government to improve Iran's education system. She had fond memories of her time there and a lifelong appreciation for the Iranian people. One of her favorite memories of their time in Iran was the year that Christmas miraculously found her family on the other side of the world. 

Annette graduated from B.Y. High School in Provo in 1961, where her friends, school activities, and her participation in the B.Y. Hi-Steppers were highlights. In 1966, she graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and began teaching fourth grade at Newman Elementary in the Rose Park area of Salt Lake City. 

Before graduating from BYU, Annette met her sweetheart Dean Maurice Hansen. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 29, 1966. In time, they became the parents of six children. Annette was a devoted mother, and raising her children with Dean was the most important thing in the world to her. 

In 1967, Annette and Dean moved to Florida. There she taught second grade at Southside Elementary in Starke while Dean began work on his Ph.D. at the University of Florida. Dean always expressed gratitude for her hard work in helping him prepare his dissertation and finish his schooling. They started their family during these years in Florida with the arrival of Amy, Adam, and Heather.

Dean's work took the family back to Utah in 1975, first to Price and then to Sandy. During these years, Matthew, Suzanna, and Lincoln were born. Dean and Annette lived and raised their family in the same Sandy home for nearly fifty years, surrounded by wonderful friends and neighbors.

Annette served with Dean as he presided over the Pennsylvania Harrisburg Mission from 1984-1987, accompanied by their six children. She cherished the experiences she and her family had there and remembered with love each of the missionaries with whom they served.

Annette also served in many other capacities in the Church. Her favorite callings were always those working with children in Primary. She was also honored to later serve as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple.

Annette had a strong moral compass, and she and Dean taught their children the gospel of Jesus Christ. She instilled a love of reading in each of her children. She and Dean made sure their home was filled with books. She especially loved books with great adventures.

Annette worked to create a home that was filled with good food and family memories.  She especially enjoyed preparing lovely Sunday dinners for her family. Her children believe she made the best cinnamon rolls in the world, and many friends and neighbors would agree. She took joy in sharing warm bread, cinnamon rolls, and cookies with neighbors at Christmastime. Her excellent homemaking skills included knowing how to stretch a dollar during lean times. While in Florida, she made the local news and Church News for her skill and thrift in incorporating ground soybeans into everyday cooking.

Annette had a great sense of humor and could laugh at herself. She was never happier than when she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Even though she suffered from disabling and restricting health challenges throughout her life, she remained deeply sensitive to others. She always did her best to share the burdens of her children and was never happier than when she felt they were happy.

In 2020, Dean passed away from a lingering illness, and Annette moved to Cedarwood at Sandy, where she received exceptional care from a long list of caregivers. As a family, we are indebted to them and to the many dear friends and ward members who loved and served her over the years.

Annette is preceded in death by her husband, Dean, her parents, Boyd and Louise, and her sister Silvia. She is survived by her children Amy (Brad) Johnston of Gilbert, Arizona; Adam (Rachelle) Hansen of McKinney, Texas; Heather (Travis) Lybbert of Davis, California; Matthew Hansen of Sandy, Utah; Suzanna (Mason) Harper of Kimberly, Idaho; Lincoln Hansen of Pleasant Grove, Utah; fifteen grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother-in-law Dennis (Vicki) Nuckles of American Fork, Utah; brother Boyd Jr. (Marleen) of Orem, Utah; sister Evelyn (Ken) Rushton of St. George, Utah; and sister Dawn (Paul) Brown of Wolfforth, Texas.

A funeral service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9119 South 1300 East, Sandy, Utah on Friday September 29, 2023, at 2 p.m., with visitation beforehand from 12:45-1:45 p.m. Interment will follow on Saturday September 30, 2023, at the Cache Clawson Cemetery in Tetonia, Idaho at 12 p.m.