Myrtle Hansen

Myrtle Hansen, born April 6, 1925 in Tablerock, Nebraska, died Wednesday, December 14, 2011 in Sandy, UT. She was the 6th of eleven children born to Elizabeth Adaline Peck Smith and David Edward Smith. She joined the LDS Church at age 16, and after high school graduation moved to Salt Lake City with her younger sister, Edith. She attended BYU and served as a missionary in the Northern California mission. Myrtle married Aaron August Hansen November 15, 1951 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They lived in many small towns in Arizona and Utah where her 5 children were born. A highlight of her life was taking her young family to Tongatapu Tonga to teach at Liahona High School from 1965 to 1968. She loved to snorkel and collect sea shells. Myrtle taught school at Liahona High School in Tonga, Murray Jr. High, Centerville Jr. High, and West Jr. High in the Uintah basin. After retiring from teaching, Myrtle and Aaron served an 18 month LDS mission to the Philippines, San Pablo Mission. She had a green thumb with all plants and enjoyed painting in both water color and oils. She also loved to learn about other cultures. The family would like to give thanks to the many caregivers of both Myrtle and Aaron over the last decade and special thanks to the staff at Alta Ridge Alzheimers Unit for the loving care they have given Myrtle the last 3 years. Myrtle is survived by 3 siblings: Iva Leafty, Jesse Smith, and Lois Bauer; four of her five children: Erin Curtis (Jim), Sandy, UT., Reed Hansen (Eve), Lindon, UT., Jon Hansen (Carrie), Sandy, UT., and Tory Topaz, Idaho Falls, ID. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron (2008); daughter, Ruth; granddaughter, Lorna Lister; and great-grandson, Michael Lister. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17, 2011 at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, where a viewing will be held Friday evening from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. and Saturday morning 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment-Centerville City Cemetery.