David Hansen

David Leon Hansen

April 23rd, 1933-July 21st, 2021

"A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best."   -Author Unknown

In the early morning hours of July 21st, 2021, our sweet dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend made the peaceful transition from 88 years in this life to happily forever reunite with so many loved ones awaiting his loving presence, handsome grin and longing to hear his jokes again. He was at home surrounded by his family.

David Leon Hansen was born in Provo, Utah on April 23rd, 1933, to his adored parents, Elva Carter Hansen and Franklin Earl Hansen. David was one of ten children who he loved growing up with and getting into mischief with.

Having a love of running, he could outrun all the fastest runners in school. He also loved learning about botany. He knew the names of many different kinds of trees and flowers and marveled at the beauty of nature. His penmanship was impeccable and his signature was like calligraphy. He was very creative, inventive and ingenious.

David loved the outdoors and he spent a lot of time with his family hunting, camping and fishing.

He graduated in 1951 from B Y High and then joined the United States Army where he proudly served for two years as an equipment specialist that took him all over Germany and Austria. He would remember fondly and point out all the places he got to see in person during the opening scenes of the movie, The Sound of Music.

David's hard work ethic started young as he would do many things around the house to ease the work load for his mother. He was highly regarded at Skaggs Grocery Store in Provo, where he earned the nickname, "Flash", stocking the shelves and produce so fast. He eventually was made the grocery dept. manager and enjoyed many years working there.

His beloved Earlene Bristow caught his eye when she waited on him at a cafe and it wasn't long before he started courting her. A memorable date she had with him was hiking Mount Timpanogos. They were married on Nov. 25th, 1960 and made their first home in Granger, Utah.

David started a career with Hercules/Bacchus Aerospace in Salt Lake, working with explosives and overseeing the production of missile parts.

They welcomed their son, Shaun Patrick, in 1964 and their daughter, Heidi Alena, in 1966. They would later be blessed with their daughter, Amy Earlene, in 1976.

A transfer with the company would take the family to Kansas, but just long enough to experience a tornado and then return back to Utah where the family made their home in Layton for the next 15 years.

David worked at the Hercules plant in Clearfield as a foreman and worked on a special project that awarded him the honor of Hercules Cost Crusader of the Year in 1985.

David's love of flowers and gardening led to him having his own dried floral business he ran out of his home, Hansen Heritage Floral. His attention to detail and ingenuity made for a successful and fun side business where he customized orders of beautiful arrangements for customers and also earned many awards in horticulture exhibits at the Utah State Fair. Earlene would work side-by-side with David with her own artwork and they enjoyed traveling to many craft fairs and events selling their creations.

Tragedy struck in 1984 when their firstborn and only son, Shaun, was murdered. The family were grief-stricken.

The family moved to Kaysville to be close to Shaun's resting place in the cemetary there.

Earlene's health declined and she passed away in 1986. Once again, the family was grief-stricken, and David mourned the death of his bride of 26 years.

A light came back into David's eyes when he met Dixine Clara Mace Garfield at a singles dance. They were married on May 28th, 1988 in Park City. They made their home in Magna and David continued working for Hercules until 1995, a total of 35 years of service.

Not one for being idle, David worked the next few years before retirement as a custodian at Dyke's Drug Store in Magna, making many lasting friendships in the Magna community with his friendly and joke-telling, fun personality.

He kept busy during retirement helping others, spending time with family, fishing with his friends, gardening, organizing football pools, hanging with his coffee buddies at the "Monkey Brew", spreading sunshine wherever he went around the community by leaving them with one of his many jokes, cheering on the Utah Jazz, collecting antiques and coins, taking trips out to Wendover, traveling to their vacation property in St. George and spending time at their cabin up in the mountains.

David was Dixine's constant caregiver as she suffered through dementia and he lovingly cared for her as her health declined. She passed away on Dec. 7th, 2019. They were married 31 years.

David had a lifelong relationship with his Savior and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. David rarely attended church but he literally lived his life like a Saint. He gave freely and loved unconditionally and every person he met he treated with kindness.

David really missed all those who went before him - first his parents and then eight of his siblings and seven of their spouses, Jerry Allen Hansen, Edward "Ted" Hansen, Terry Hansen, Don Hansen, Venice Rogers, DeLynn Hansen, Jack Hansen and Verna Blocker.

His dear sister, Gail Vernon, of Henderson, Nevada, is his only remaining sibling and sweet Ireata Swasey Hansen of Springville, Utah is his only remaining sister-in-law.

David is also survived by his daughter, Heidi Alena (Bob) Magann of West Valley City, Utah, his daughter, Amy Earlene (Rob) Amini of Columbus, Indiana, his step-son Larry Garfield of Ivins, Utah, his step-son Russell Garfield of American Fork, Utah, his granddaughter and grandson Adalena Norma and Ray Isaac Rice of Kearns, Utah, his grandsons, Joshua Shaun, Ian Layne, Daniel David, and Oliver Robert and his granddaughter, Keighdi Anna all of West Valley City, Utah, his grandson, Colin Robert Amini of Columbus, Indiana, and his many nieces and nephews.

The lives David touched are many and the impact he made is immense. He will be remembered with laughter and smiles.

The celebration of David's life will be held on Tuesday, July 27th, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Elk Run Chapel for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3610 S. 8400 W. Magna, Utah.

You may pay your respects prior to services that morning from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM.

David will be laid to rest next to Shaun and Earlene and given full military honors at the Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 Crestwood Road, Kaysville, Utah.

"Growing up I had a sandwich dog...he was half-bred!"  :)