Donna Hansen

Donna Hansen

Richfield, Utah

Donna Spafford Hansen died February 1, 2015 at Monroe Canyon Assisted Living, Monroe, Utah. She was 96 years old. She was born January 17, 1919 to Emma Aretta Knight and Carl Giles Spafford in Annabella, Utah. Donna attended a two-room school in Annabella through grade 6. At that time she rode the school bus to attend South Sevier Junior High and High Schools. She had a great love of learning and read widely both for entertainment and to learn about the world around her.

Donna met the love of her life and her eternal sweetheart, Elbert Dewane Hansen in 1935 and they married July 25, 1937. They are the parents of seven children: Carl James, Emalee, James Elbert, Sue Ann, Donna Louese, John David, and Mary Carole. They raised their family in a house that Elbert built with the aid of their parents in Richfield. Elbert passed away November 8, 1997.

Donna was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a firm testimony of the Gospel that she shared with her family and those who benefited from her teachings in various church callings. She and her husband were active in leadership of the Yoomenchopeets LDS Branch. She was especially attracted to family history. She and her husband were staff workers at the regional genealogical library in Richfield beginning in 1980 and she continued serving until 2008. They served a medieval file mission from 1992 to 1994. In addition, she and family members assembled a 650 page family history which was self-published in 2000. She has published four other family history books containing stories about family members and ancestors.

Work outside the home became necessary to assist with medical needs of some family members and to support her missionary sons. She worked at Sevier County, Sevier Valley Hospital, and was the Sears store telephone division head.

Donna was active for many years in the Richfield Culture Club and the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. In addition, she was a volunteer 4-H club leader. Donna felt that the most important part of her life, outside her role as a wife and mother, was in service to others.

Donna is survived by her children: Emalee (Calvin) Curtis, James Elbert (Randi) Hansen, Sue Ann Curtis, Donna Louese Downing, and Mary Carole (Kim) Blackburn They have 18 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 2 great- great-grandchildren.

Also preceded in death by her parents; sons: Carl and John; sons-in-law, Neil Curtis, John Downing; a grandson and a great-granddaughter; siblings: Aretta (Junius) Christiansen, Mada (Phil) Hansen, Edna (Willis) Larsen, Merle (Rex) Poulson, Willis (Leila) Spafford.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Richfield 15 ^th Ward Chapel, 210 East Center. Friends may call Friday from 6-7 p.m. at the Magleby Mortuary, 50 South 100 West, Richfield and Saturday from 11:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. at the ward chapel. Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.