Obituary: HANSON, KATHERINE

Katherine Nell MacKnight Hanson1917 ~ 2012Katherine (Tink) Nell MacKnight Hanson, formerly of Las Cruces, New Mexico and St. George, Utah, passed away on May 11, 2012 in Orem, Utah at the age of 94.Katherine MacKnight Hanson was born on September 5, 1917 in Price, Utah to Katherine Heystek MacKnight and Joseph MacKnight. She was the youngest of five children. Her Dutch name was Katrinka, from which the nickname "Tink" evolved. She lived in Price, Utah until 1937, after which she attended Utah State University. She enjoyed her time there serving as the student body secretary and joining the Kappa Delta sorority where she developed many lasting friendships. While at USU, she met Eldon Hanson, a civil engineering student. Tink and Eldon were married in the Logan LDS temple on June 6, 1941. After World War II and subsequent graduations from USU, they eventually found their way to the Mesilla Valley of southern New Mexico, settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and raised five children. Eldon was employed by New Mexico State University. Tink loved the blue skies, spectacular sunsets, mild winters, Mexican food, chili peppers, desert scenery, and the people of the Mesilla Valley and Las Cruces. La Posta in Old Mesilla was her favorite Mexican restaurant. Tink became an excellent cook with her specialty being Mexican food. She would make her own red enchilada sauce and roasted the green chilies in the oven. This made for flavorful dishes for which she became well known.Tink and Eldon had many friends and associates in the community. She was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was particularly noted for her compassionate service. Tink always had friends to dinner on Sunday, many of them new arrivals in town who didn't know anyone. She would reach out and befriend them through wonderful Sunday dinners and ice cream parties. She was a great cook, and along with the Mexican food, she became famous for her homemade bread, soups, and wonderful desserts. After Eldon retired, they spent three and a half years in Egypt on a water project with Colorado State University. They enjoyed learning about the Egyptian culture, sailing feluccas on the Nile, and traveling all over Europe, the Mediterranean, Russia, and Kenya. After they returned home, they served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dallas / Ft. Worth Mission. After 50 years, Tink and Eldon left their beloved Mesilla Valley and moved to St. George, Utah to be closer to their children. It was a hard move for Tink, but she gradually became attached to the red mountains and the people of St. George. It was here that Tink began taking art and painting classes and developed a hidden talent for painting. She painted many beautiful pictures, particularly of the Mesilla Valley and the southwest. In 2004 due to age and health related issues, Tink and Eldon moved to Orem, Utah and established residence in the Summerfield Retirement Residence, where they were together until his passing in December 2007. Tink again made many new friends in the retirement residence and enjoyed life playing SkipBo and other card games, making jewelry, visiting her new friends, and sponsoring ice cream parties for her grandchildren living nearby. She also was a fan of the Utah Jazz.Tink is survived by her sons, Blaine (Marlene) Hanson of Dixon, California, Grant (Carol) Hanson of Woodland Hills, Utah, Joseph (Lisa) Hanson of Orem, Utah and by her daughters, Kathy (Cris) Hepburn of Yucaipa, California and Helen (Jim) Gebhard of Grand Junction, Colorado. She has 21 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. A special thanks to Dorothy Dujardin for her devoted care to Tink and Eldon during the years spent at Summerfield. The attentive care of the Summerfield staff is also appreciated. A viewing will be at 10:00 a.m. on May 19 (Saturday) at the LDS chapel at 1075 W 1100 N, Orem, Utah. The funeral service will start at 11:00 a.m. followed by a graveside service at the Orem City Cemetery. Condolences my be shared with the family at: www.serenicare.com