Harold Lewis Hansen, 84, of Kaysville, Utah passed away May 5, 2020. He was born to the late Leroy and Bertha Hansen of Iona, Idaho on October 25, 1935. He was raised there with his brothers Steve, Charles, and Lynn. Harold graduated from Bonneville High and then continued on to BYU in pre-med, and finished at the University of Utah with a doctorate of medicine. He was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple to Margaret Evans of Salt Lake City on March 24, 1961. They are the parents of nine children: Lisa Johnson (Dave), Eric (Debra and the late Leanne), Rebecca Jensen (Eric), Mary Hansen-Murdock, Martha Johansen (Conrad), Russell (Becky), Kathy Merrill (Doug), Emily Matthews (Reed), and Jon (Amy). He is grandfather to 46 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. The majority of Harold’s career was as a family doctor at Tanner Clinic in Layton, Utah, from which he retired in 2000. He spent years of service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including missions to New Zealand, the Northern Utah Mission, and the Family History Mission. He was a beloved father and grandfather, leaving behind a legacy of love and service. Interment will be at the Kaysville City Cemetery on Saturday, May 16. Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, the service will be only for immediate family. For more information and online condolences please visit www.independentfuneralservices.com

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Life sketch presented by Jon Hansen at funeral services:

Harold Hansen loved funny performances, was a fan of physical comedy, and loved anything that made him laugh. Because of this, my father made me promise that if I spoke at his funeral, I would say or do at least 1 funny thing….so I am checking that off my list. He loved to laugh.

Harold Lewis Hansen of Kaysville, Utah passed away May 5, 2020 at the age of 84. He was born to Leroy and Bertha Hansen of Iona, Idaho on October 25, 1935.

Harold’s mother, Bertha, moved to Iona to teach school. It was in Iona that Bertha met Roy. Harold was the oldest child and spent the majority of his childhood in Idaho. He is survived by his brothers Steve, Charles, and Lynn.

Harold and his brothers worked with their father on the family dry farm, raising 900+ acres of wheat. Harold always smiled when it rained, because the rain made HIS father smile. It meant they would have a good crop that year. His appreciation for rain continued into his later years in Kaysville, instituting what he termed, “a rain dance” which he would perform when he felt the garden needed more natural rain—complete with a rain-stick from the Navajo Nation.

Harold graduated from Bonneville High School and later enrolled at BYU in pre-med. I asked him years ago, “what made you choose to be a doctor? Was it being a farm boy, and your desire to get away from rural life, obtain an education, make a difference in the world?” he said, “no. I took a test my Senior Year at Bonneville…and the results came back, ‘You should be a doctor’.” I actually FOUND that test result and there were 3 other occupations that were circled as “options”: dentist, therapist, and actor.

Harold was introduced to his roommate's aunt, who was a Mutual teacher in a ward in the Holiday area of the Salt Lake Valley. This aunt gave Harold the phone number of one of the young women in her ward. Harold called Margaret and invited her to a concert at Highland High School. Margaret learned that her date was performing in the concert as Harold left her in the auditorium and walked up to the stage to play trumpet with the band. Needless to say, she was pleasantly surprised.

Needless to say, Harold was a super surprised to learn that Margaret was 7 years younger than him. Much to Margaret’s disappointment, Harold made no follow up calls to their first date. It was several weeks before he saw her again. When he happened to walk into the bookstore where she worked and saw “the sunlight coming in from the window hitting her hair in just the right way”. Harold knew at that moment, that she was the one for him!

Harold and Margaret were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 24, 1961. They lived in Salt Lake City while Harold attended medical school. He graduated from the University of Utah with a doctorate in medicine. During this time, Lisa and Eric were both born. Becky joined the family during Dad's internship at McKay-Dee hospital in Ogden. The family moved to Fillmore in the 1965 where Harold practiced medicine for six years. Mary, Martha, and Russell were born in Fillmore, with their father acting as the delivering physician. After three girls, when Russell was born, Harold nearly dropped the baby exclaiming, "It's a boy, Margaret! It’s a boy!"

During this time, Harold was in the military and received the rank of Captain, serving for the National Guard during the Vietnam War.

In 1971, the family moved to Kaysville and subsequently welcomed Kathy and Emily to their family. Eight children seemed like just the right size for them. Because of the large family, many kids were doubled-up in the rooms. To accommodate the large family, in 1978 Harold and Margaret added more rooms onto their home. He would often comment when the family gathered, "Who is missing?" The family would count noses and, no, everyone was there. After Jon made a surprised entrance, joining the family in 1981, Harold never asked the question again, even though many times someone was not at home. The family has grown to include 46 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Harold joined Tanner Clinic of Layton, UT in its early stages in the early 1970’s—where he enjoyed many happy years as the clinic grew and thrived. He retired in 2000, after nearly 35 years in the medical profession. The responses and condolences shared over the past week by patients and associates of his from 3 decades of service has been overwhelmingly commemoratory and tender. He was known and respected by many.

Harold spent many years of service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was ordained to the office of High Priest in 1958 to serve as a counselor in a student ward bishopric. He served as a counselor to Bishop Beck Sheffield, as a high councilor in the Kaysville Utah East Stake, and as Bishop of the Kaysville 13th ward from 1993 – 1997. In addition to serving a proselyting mission to New Zealand (1954-1956) Harold also served a medical mission to the Northern Utah Mission (2000 – 2005), as well as a couple’s mission with Margaret to the Family History Mission (2005 – 2009).

Harold was a kind and gentle man. He had a love of humor, fun and adventure. Every stranger he met became a friend, and if you were interested in something, that was his new interest as well. He always made you feel like you were the most amazing person who could accomplish anything. No matter how busy life seemed, he made the time to be a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Harold, my Dad, was a beloved father and grandfather, leaving behind a legacy of love and service.

Being a veteran, Harold would have had a 21-gun salute. However, because of the current societal restrictions, he is not able to have that honor. So in lieu of this, I would ask that all grandsons stand. You may not know this, but Harold has 21 Grandsons. Some are physically here; some are here in spirit. Please raise your right hand to your head. This constitutes a “21-Grandson Salute”. At ease.

Services

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Independent Funeral Service - Salt Lake City
2746 S State St.
Salt Lake City, UT

Life Story Info

Post Date

May 08, 2020

Personal Info

Age

84
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Guestbook

Jon and family,

I want to send my love and sympathies for your loss. I miss seeing you, and I always think of you as I drive by your parents house in Kaysville.

Derik Lee May 16, 2020

Aren't we grateful to know about our purpose on this earth and that we will see each other again. Please remember that you were his "rock"; we love your family and we will miss Harold; we are so glad to have known him. Love, The Ericksens

Doug & Brenda Ericksen May 12, 2020

Margaret,

Herald is such a great man and friend. It was fun to be on the Israel trip with the two of you. He has a way of making you feel excepted and valued. Dr. Bean said he came to his office and admired the gun that he had on his wall. He cared about those he came in contact with always looked for the good in everyone and that made him a master physician. It was always fun to see him in the temple. He always had a smile on his face. You have a wonderful family and they will be a great support to you at this time of loss. We love you and are better because we know you.

Love,

Dr. and Mrs. Charles P Bean

Chuck and Jolynn Bean , Kaysville , UT, US May 12, 2020

DEAR MARGERET AND FAMILY, MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR WONDERFUL FAMILY, IN HEARING OF THE PASSING OF HAROLD,YOUR FAMILY WILL BE A GREAT STRENGTH TO YOU,IN THIS BIG ADJUSTMENT IN YOUR LIFE, GOD BLESS YOU LOVE KATHY LARKINS

Kathy Larkins May 09, 2020

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