Vada Louine Johnson Hansen

Vada Louine Johnson Hansen, 76, died at her home in River Heights, on July 22, 2006, surrounded by her family.
She was born in Barnwell, Alberta, Canada, on Sept. 7, 1929, to Wilbern S. and Amelia Shields Johnson. She was the youngest of seven children. After her mother’s death in 1933, Vada’s father married Winona Stevens, who cared for Vada’s family along with her own five children. Vada graduated from Barnwell High School and Calgary Tech in 1947 and continued her studies at BYU. Although she received a call to serve in the New England LDS Mission, apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ezra Taft Benson advised her to marry the young man she had been dating instead. Two months later, on Feb. 21, 1951, Elder Benson performed the marriage of Vada Johnson to Wilford Nels Hansen in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Wilford and Vada later served a mission together (1996-1997) in Morristown, N.J.
As her husband completed his schooling and found employment, Vada lived and raised six children in Iowa, Utah and California, finally settling in Cache Valley, where they have lived for nearly 40 years. She also lived in Berlin, Germany; and Los Alamos, N.M., during her husband’s sabbaticals from teaching at Utah State University. Vada was an excellent cook and seamstress, having studied home economics and clothing design and construction at BYU. She enjoyed serving in many stake and ward callings, and had a special talent for comforting the elderly and the discouraged.
She was a successful real estate agent, a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and kept an active interest in the world around her, maintaining membership in a literary club for more than 30 years. Vada excelled as a hostess, where her gracious ways made everyone who spent time with her feel valued and uplifted. Although she suffered debilitating health problems for more than 40 years, she was too interested in other people to spend time complaining. She will be remembered for her unfailing cheerfulness and for her consistent expressions of compassion and gratitude.
Vada’s testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of eternal families was a guide in her own life and a steady source of strength to her family. She was devoted to her husband, Wilford, who survives her; and to her children, who also survive her, Wilford Jr. (Lisa) of Payson, Utah, Galen (Jennifer) of Fairmont W.V., Vaylene (Kurtis Tucker) of Homestead, Fla., Loreita (Neal Dewey) of Smithfield, Dwayne (Jolene) of Rexburg, Idaho, Cynthia (David Glenn) of Acton, Mass.
She is also survived by 32 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a brother, Ronald (Syb) Johnson; and a sister-in-law, Lila Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Delbert and Wilbern Johnson; her sisters, LaRea McDougal, Argyle McDougal and Beatrice Barnes; and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, July 29, at the Providence Stake Center, 800 S. 600 East. Viewings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, at the Allen-Cranney Mortuary, 420 E. 1800 North, and from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday at the Providence Stake Center.
Interment in the Logan City Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family and a register book signed at www.allenmortuaries.net