Carolyn LaDean Stevens Hanks

1931 ~ 2021

Viewing:

May 8, 2021
10:00 AM - 11:45 AM
589 East 18th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah
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  • Service:

    May 8, 2021
    12:00 PM
    589 East 18th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Directions to Service
  • Beloved angel, daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, Carolyn LaDean Stevens Hanks, passed away peacefully in the early hours of May 3, 2021, surrounded by her six children. She was faithful, valiant, talented, and devoted to her family. She was a beautiful matriarch to a posterity of 52 and led her family with wisdom, grace, and an abundance of love.

    Carolyn was born in Fillmore, Utah on a hot summer day, July 13, 1931 to Hazen and Harriet Stevens. She was the youngest of six children and her birth was a source of happiness for her family as her beautiful soul was brought into the world. Being the baby of the family, she said she was spoiled and felt she had a very special place in the world. She loved dressing up her cats in doll clothes and pushing them around in a buggy. At the age of three and again at the age of seven, Carolyn suffered through bouts of Rheumatic Fever. When she was seven, she had to stay in bed all summer. Those were challenging times for Carolyn and her parents who were devoted to her care. After she recovered, she was given a blue bicycle and she loved to cruise all over town. She had many friends and knew everyone. She had a simple, uncomplicated, and wonderful childhood.

    At the age of six, Carolyn began picking out tunes on the piano, so her parents gave her piano lessons. Then someone came to town selling accordions and she had great fun playing chords with one hand and the melody with the other. Later, she wanted to try the violin and started taking lessons. She enjoyed playing in the school orchestra as well as for weddings, funerals, and school functions but she always loved the piano and would play Boogie Woogies or other popular sheet music when she got home from school. Her dear parents attended all of her performances and were so proud of her. Carolyn’s love for the piano stayed with her throughout her life. Her home was always filled with beautiful music. She taught her children, grandchildren, and many neighborhood children the techniques of playing the piano and, also, exemplified how music lifts hearts, blesses lives, and conveys the spirit of Christ. She lived a life of service through music…teaching, accompanying, and performing on both piano and organ.

    After Carolyn graduated from Millard High School with honors, she attended BYU for one year. Following her freshman year, she moved to Salt Lake City to spend the summer working and enjoying city life. And, instead of staying in Salt Lake for three months, she ended up staying for the rest of her life! During that summer, beautiful red headed Carolyn met the love of her life, Lincoln M. Hanks. They had a sweet courtship and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 13, 1951.

    Carolyn’s life was by defined by her dedication to her family and to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She and Lincoln created a happy home filled with beauty, love, and laughter. She was the mother of six children, grandmother of 22, and great-grandmother of 18. Carolyn was active in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She supported their goals, was always in attendance at important events, and celebrated every birthday with beautiful hand-made cards and letters. Holiday celebrations in her home were filled with warmth and delicious cooking. She was a great force for good in each family member’s life.

    Carolyn was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a deep testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. She served in many capacities throughout the years including Relief Society President of the Ensign 5th Ward. She has left a legacy through her musical service in her ward and, also, as a pianist at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. She unselfishly supported Lincoln in his church callings and together, in 1993, they served for 19 months in the Durban South Africa Mission.

    Carolyn enjoyed socializing with friends and ward members. Her friendships were deep and special to her. She loved serving and participating in her Daughters of the Utah Pioneers group. She and Lincoln, also, belonged to a Dinner Group that lasted for over 60 years.

    As her children grew older, she set a great example by continuing to learn and developing her talents. She attended BYU earning an Associate’s Degree in Art, studied for and passed the Real Estate Board Exam, continued her studies of piano and organ, and took watercolor lessons. She excelled in her skills as an artist and her paintings are treasures to her family.

    Carolyn’s life will continue to serve as an inspiration to all who knew her.

    Carolyn is survived by her brother Paul Stevens (Greta); her children, Diana Brown (John), James Hanks (Leisa), Rose Angerbauer (David), Joseph Hanks (Jacque), Shannon Packer (Michael), Nancy Dorny (Matthew); 22 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren (with two more arriving soon.)

    She was preceded in death by her husband Lincoln, her parents, two sisters, and two brothers.

    Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Noon at the LDS Hilltop Ward located at 589 East 18th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may call prior to services from 10:00 - 11:45 am.
    You may watch a recording of the service by clicking this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/7teWdnBgl5KEaSd3r1IiaddLZXKy3bNH8h4R8pVzBYaRkk3ea51jV9bdmib9sy3gWW362gaOGsB0pQf_.tluLKbYhWNT9g_zz?autoplay=true&startTime=1620494862000, or by clicking the "watch services" button at the top of this page.

    Please note that a Zoom account is necessary to access the service; no passcode is required, though. The host will begin the meeting five minutes prior to service. Access to mic and camera will not be given.

    Interment will be at the Salt Lake Cemetery.

    Masks are required for those attending the viewing and funeral.


    Guestbook/Condolences

    Oh what a wonderful reunion awaited Carolyn. We are thrilled beyond expression for both her and Lincoln. We will forever remember how in 1989 our Relief Society president, Carolyn, found us shivering in the street in front of our home as the firemen were working on our home fire. She took off her coat and put it on Karen's shoulders and had her keep it until spring. There are few godly acts that have been branded into our souls, this is one of them. When we see her again will remind her of that day and again thank her for gracious gift that night and for an eternal friendship.
    We find ourselves on the other side of the world, otherwise we would not miss your celebration. You are a choice family with a remarkable heritage provided by Carolyn and Lincoln Hanks. The Lord's blessings be with you!
    Jim and Karen


    - James and Karen Derrick

    Dearest Ones,
    We were saddened to see the Obituary of your dear mother. Your wonderful words
    in her Obituary were expressed beautifully. They could not have been expressed better.
    Your beautiful mother was an angel on earth. One of the reasons she was so beautiful was that you could see her soul shine in her whole being. How blessed we all have been to know and love her. The sharing of our music together made our relationship even more wonderful. She is now in the arms of our Lord as Lincoln waits for her to join him.
    The Gospel is true . . . . . we will love Lincoln and Carolyn forever. God bless you all in your time of grief. We send our deepest Love.
    Walter and Marie Gaisford


    - Walter and Marie Gaisford

    Dear Hanks family,

    Your parents were the kindest and most thoughtful people to my family while we lived next door to each other those many years ago. I know my parents always had the highest regard and love for your parents and even though at the time none of my family were members of the church they didn't treat us any different. In fact, I think they showed us, even more, love and respect. I will always remember their love and kindness. May the Lord continue to bless your wonderful family. With much aloha, Rene


    - Rene (Tsuyuki) Sakorafis

    Dear Hanks Family,

    Your mother and father were important, positive influences in my life when I moved to Salt Lake City. Carolyn was ever sweet, gracious and classy. Wally shared my fondness, though his was of longer standing, for Lincoln and Carolyn.

    I am thinking of your family with love.


    - Karen S Wright

    What a beautiful mother you have. I’m so sorry for your separation from her. As wonderful as it is to know you’ll see her again, for right now it’s just hard. Be kind to yourself. Sending hugs!


    - Becca Birkin

    Hanks kids... I heard about Carolyn passing away the evening of her funeral...I am so sad I was not able to come say goodbye. I always thought of Carolyn as another mother and hope you know how much our family loved her. Glad she is joining Janie, Dean, Kelly, Edna and Rudy, Gordon and Blanche, John and Bonnie, Dottie and (my mind has gone blank! ) Stevens, and Wayne Clark are celebrating her along with your dads and having a great dinner together. You all have my love and gratitude for sharing her with us all

    Holly Williams Schelin


    - Holly Schelin