Obituary: HANSEN, HEBER DEAN

Heber "Dean" Hansen1921 ~ 2011H. Dean Hansen, known as Dean to family and friends; loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2011 in Salt Lake City. Born November 9, 1921 to Heber Lorenzo and Myrtle Jane (Simmons) Hansen in Burley (Pella), Idaho, was the eldest son of eight (sister, Joy being 1 year older). After completing courses at the LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Dean enlisted in the army June 1940, eventually becoming a First Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, serving as Navigator on a B-17 with the 358th Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group (Hell's Angels) stationed in England. He was shot down 30 Mar 1945 near the German border, becoming a POW for about 3 months in Stalag-Luft #1. The next year he went to Brigham Young University to study Geology while holding down three jobs. He met his eternal companion, Barbara Joyce Treu, when he was up on the "Y" mountain white-washing the "Y" (Barbara was not supposed to be up there, but ventured up there with her cousin Mary Nell!). Dean fell fast and hard for her and, shortly thereafter, they "eloped" (with Barbara's mother, Erma, in tow) to Elko, Nevada, where they were married by an LDS Bishop on May 18, 1948. In Oct 1952, their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple with the four oldest children present. After graduation from BYU, Dean and Barbara moved to the Los Angeles area where Barbara had been born and grew up. Dean started off working for Barbara's uncles (Jackson Brothers General Contractors), and subsequently, went to work for Industrial Asphalt. He became the proud father to seven sons and one daughter.Dean served as a Rotarian and was well-liked and respected in the community. He served as a Bishop and Stake President in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He worked in construction and in the asphalt business, eventually managing the Sealcoat division of Industrial Asphalt in Los Angeles, CA. He and Barbara went into Real Estate for several years in the San Fernando Valley, with Dean gaining his Broker's license with Century 21. In 1996, Dean and Barbara moved to Ridgefield, WA near their daughter and a few sons, where they lived until 2003. Dean drove bus at Portland International Airport during that time. In June 2003, along with Barbara's 99-year-old mother, Erma Treu, they moved to West Jordan, UT to live near Barbara's brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Vicki Treu. Erma passed away in October of that year and Barbara, subsequently, passed away in 2006. In 2007, Dean reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Afton (Christensen) Cook, courted, and married her later that summer.He is survived by his wife, Afton; sister: Joy Hansen Staples; brothers: Harold (Clarice), Glenn (Marilyn), and Jim (Lynne) Hansen. He is also survived by his children: Doug (Penny); Mike; Linda (Mike) Taylor; R. Scott; Randy (Lisa); Rick (Robin); and Rob (Babette); 30 Grandchildren and 17 Great-Grandchildren along with many beloved nieces and nephews.Preceded in death by wife: Barbara Joyce (Treu) Hansen; son: Steven Harold (Gayle) Hansen; parents: Heber Lorenzo & Myrtle Jane (Simmons) Hansen; brother: Max John Hansen; sisters: Mary Deline (Hansen) Reed; and Anna Marie Hansen (infant).Services will be held on Friday, September 23, 2011, at the Utah Veteran's Cemetery, 17111 Redwood Road, Bluffdale, Utah. Being held in the Camp Williams Chapel, the viewing will be at 10:00 a.m, the funeral services at 11:00 a.m., with burial immediately following.Luncheon to follow at the home of granddaughter, Janine Ottley, 11687 Sunrise Circle, Highland, UT 84003 (Janine's cell # is 801-836-6093 in case anyone gets lost.)In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:VA Medical Center HospiceAttention: Terrie McWhorter, Palliative Care 123500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84148 (Including a note with your donation in Dean's name will enable them to honor him and make sure the donation is placed directly into hospice.)