Elizabeth Hanson

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A light came into the world on Oct. 5, 1918, in Price, Utah, with the birth of Mary Elizabeth Mathis Hanson, daughter of John Arnold Mathis and Lilly Pearl Morrison Mathis. The 93 years she walked this earth, no soul passed by her way without a good meal, food to take, and their burden lifted.
Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother left this mortal life on Sept. 23, 2011, for a long-awaited reunion with her parents, siblings, daughter, and other loved ones in heaven. Her light remains with all who had the great privilege of her tender care.
Elizabeth leaves her husband, Dorr Williams, the love of her life, after 73 years of marriage that began on Dec. 19, 1938, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they welcomed and nurtured nine children: Dorr Jr. (Dana) Hanson of Spring Glen, Utah, Karla (Blake) Liddell or Price, Utah, Loel (Kathy) Hanson of Idaho Falls, Idaho, LeAnn (Randy) Bell of Orangeville, Utah, Colleen (Lowell) Allred of Ephrata, Wash., Leslie (Lance) Van Buren of Huntington, Utah, Jeanne Lucile (stillborn), Jonathan (Annette) Hanson of Anacortes, Wash., Timothy (Cathy) Hanson of Roy, Utah, and have cherished their 41 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren. Huntington, Utah, became home in 1965 after two years in Pocatello, Idaho, four years in Brigham City, Utah, and 19 years in Kenilworth, Utah.
Elizabeth’s life was filled with love, family, friends, church, service, travel, laughter, hugs, smiles, piano, organ, music, singing, choir, baking, cooking, sewing, writing, challenges, and unwavering faith in God, our Father, and Jesus Christ, our Savior. The fabric of all these years was weaved into unconditional love and a zest for all that life offered. Wise counsel and encouragement flowed from her lips. “Life is all about love” was her motto, and she loved to clap and cheer us on with a vibrant, “Bravo, bravo!”
Elizabeth was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she served faithfully wherever needed – Bishop’s wife for eight years, Primary president, Relief Society presidency, Cub Scout leader, visiting teacher, teacher, pianist, etc. She was a newspaper journalist and photographer for 25 years, and shared her talents with many youth as 4-H Club leader. Elizabeth dearly loved the piano, the organ, and music, and she shared that passion with everyone by encouraging all to learn to play an instrument, unselfishly providing music, free piano and organ lessons for grandchildren and many others. An avid reader, she loved to learn, and found great joy in all the natural beauty and wonders of the earth.
Elizabeth, our beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, we love you, we miss you, and we look forward to the day when we meet again. Until then, your light, love, and example will sustain us.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, John Arnold and Lilly Pearl Mathis, and all her brothers and sisters – Bernard, Weldon, Leslie, Max, Lucile, Arnold, and Lillian; a daughter, Jeanne Lucile; a grandson, Randy Wayne Bell; and great grandson, Trent Randy Bell.
Funeral service will be on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, 11 a.m., Huntington Stake Center, 310 N. Main, Huntington, Utah. Family and friends can gather for viewing on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Heritage Funeral Home, 620 N. Main, Huntington, Utah, 6-8 p.m. or on Friday, Sept. 30, Huntington Stake Center, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the Huntington City Cemetery under the trusted care of Heritage Funeral Home. Friends may share condolences www.heritagefuneralhomeutah.com.