Wendell Bernard Hansen

Wendell Bernard Hansen, 102, passed away at home surrounded by his family on December 2, 2014, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Wendell was the fourth child born to Eugene Siverine and Birdie Katinka Olsen Hansen in East Garland, Utah on March 19th, 1912.  He attended a two room school in East Garland, Bear River High School in Tremonton, Utah, Box Elder High in Brigham City, Utah and Utah State Agricultural College.

He married his eternal sweetheart, Nelva Cook, in the Salt Lake Temple on June 21st, 1939, and they enjoyed 75 years together.  They set up their first home in East Garland where Wendell farmed. In 1955 they ventured to McAllen, Texas also to farm. Ten years later they returned to Utah and made their home in Salt Lake City, where they have lived for the last 50 years.

Wendell was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and enjoyed serving in various callings.  While in McAllen, Texas he served as a Branch President of a branch which covered a large area and many towns.  He and Nelva traveled many miles together ministering to the scattered membership.  Missionary service was an important part of his life.  His first mission was to the Swiss-German Mission from 1935 to 1937 where he witnessed the rise of Hitler. In 1936 he and his companion rode their bicycles more than 400 miles to Berlin to see the Olympics.  He was a faithful missionary then and throughout the rest of his life.   He and Nelva served missions in Australia- Melbourne-1977-'78; Mexico-Monterrey-1981-'82; Chile-Santiago South-1984; Atlanta, Georgia Temple-1984-'85; Dallas, Texas Temple-1987-'88; and Nauvoo, Illinois-1990-'91.

Wendell was very proud of his Mormon heritage and was a member of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, serving as president of his chapter and was an active participant for many years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Nelva; his children – David of Haintchen, Germany; Wayne (Sylvia) of South Jordan, Utah; Marie (David) Erwin of South Jordan, Utah; and Jerel (Sharon) of Bakersfield, California; 19 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his brother Warren, sisters Ora and Laura Marie and grandson Scott Wayne Hansen.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 5, 2014 at 11:00am at the Forest View Ward, 1111 East Charlton Ave (2818 So.), where friends and family can visit 9:30-10:30am prior to the service. Interment: Syracuse City Cemetery. Messages for the family can be posted at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the LDS Church Missionary Fund.