Joye Alice Hanson

Joye Hanson
Gunnison, Utah

Joye Alice Hanson, beloved wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, and friend passed away quietly with her daughter Janet and son-in-law, Keenan, in her family home in Mayfield, Utah on August 3, 2021. Joye was born July 4, 1928, a true “Yankee Doodle Dandy”! She was born in the family home in Mayfield, Utah to Alice M. Larsen and Lester Hansen. She was the second of five children: older brother, Junior; younger sisters: Jewel, DeeAnn, and brother J. Kimball.

Joye was raised in Mayfield during the Great Depression. Through those tough times she learned how to can vegetables and meat, and to sew and create fashions for herself and many family members and friends. She learned how important it was to be thrifty and put some aside for “a rainy day”. She always said, “Mayfield was the best place ever to be raised!” She loved reminiscing about  walks around the order, hot dog roasts on the Mill Hill, and all the fun dances that were held in the Mayfield schoolhouse and LDS Church building.

Joye completed most of her pre-college education right in Mayfield. Her father, Lester, was the principal there for a time. She completed her junior and senior years at Manti High School. After which she completed some nursing classes at Snow College. She worked at the Gunnison Valley Hospital and served as a nurse in the office of Dr. Stanley Reece, M.D.

She met the love of her life, Gayle Hanson, at a dance in Mayfield. That dance led to many others, they both loved to dance. They were married February 21, 1948 and sealed in the Manti Temple on November 4, 1948.

Joye and Gayle were inseparable. They did everything together. They had a dream of owning a motel in Gunnison along the busy Highway 89. They invested everything they had, including sweat equity, into building their dream. They named it The Country Paradise Motel. As they were nearing completion of the motel they welcomed a baby girl, Janet Joye. Joye always said that her favorite song of the time was “My Blue Heaven”, especially the line “..and baby makes three”. Over the years Joye and Gayle welcomed guests from all over the world. They truly enjoyed their interactions with their customers. Their claim: “Clean, comfortable accommodations at a reasonable rate”. Joye was a perfectionist and insisted on giving her customers the best she and Gayle could provide. Even after Gayle’s passing in 1986, and while caring for her aging parents, Joye operated the motel alone. She was always such a hard worker and wanted the grounds to be inviting.  She even won a prize from Gunnison City for having the most beautiful yard. Joye retired from her chosen profession at the young age of 85!

Joye was an expert seamstress and could make anything from frilly baby outfits to curtains and drapes. She also loved knitting, crocheting, and quilt making. She won many a blue ribbon for her items at the county and Utah State fairs.

Joye was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life. She served in many auxiliaries, including Relief Society president and visiting teacher instructor. She loved serving the Lord and had a firm testimony of the power of prayer.

She is survived by her daughter Janet (Keenan); 4 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Alan Allred.

Joye was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Alice; husband Gayle; and siblings: Junior (Glenna) Hansen, DeeAnn Allred, Jewel Hansen, and J. Kimball Hansen.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 16, 2021 at 12:00 Noon in the Gunnison Stake Center where viewings will be held Sunday evening from 6-7 p.m. and Monday morning from 10:30 – 11:30. Burial will be in the Mayfield Cemetery.  Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the nurses, aides, and staff of Gunnison Valley Hospice for the kind, loving, untiring service to Joye. We love you.