Gloria Dawn Cook Hansen passed away peacefully on July 12 at the age of 79, surrounded by loved ones. Dawn was born on October 2, 1941, to John William Cook and Dora Faye Petersen in Salt Lake City, Utah.
She met and married the love of her life, Mel Hansen, and spent the next 65 years raising their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and creating a loving home for her family and friends. They loved taking their young family camping in the Uintas and boating on Echo and Rockport reservoirs.
Dawn was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As a young wife and mother, she loved to bake bread, cook, and can and preserve. She kept an immaculate home and took great care to nurture and watch over her family. Her children knew without a doubt they were her highest priority; she was their number one fan, and their number one protector. As the grandchildren came along, her children joked that they knew they had been replaced for the top place in her heart, and when the great-grandchildren began to arrive, her kids dropped another notch. Nick was the first grandchild, and he could always make his grandma laugh, she loved watching him grow up, and even his friends called her “Grandma”. As a dedicated grandmother, she loved to pick her granddaughters Courtney and Kerestin up from school every day to take them home with her so she could make them dinner and spend time with them. She loved to have her great-grandson Kayden come every morning before school and after school, they would watch TV and pop popcorn, and Grandma Dawn made the absolute best brownies, She loved to hold great-granddaughter Aliza in her lap to read stories and rock in the rocking chair. She adored Baby Henry, and her face would light up whenever he came to visit.
Dawn returned to school to finish a degree in accounting after her children were grown. She was a gifted accountant, and worked at First Security Bank and then CR England Trucking in the owner/operator division.
Dawn was preceded in death by her parents, brothers John Jr. and Gordon Cook, her special aunts and uncles, and her precious granddaughter Staci Rae Hansen. Dawn leaves behind her loving husband Mel, her adoring children Deborah Hansen (Deena Fullmer), Jeff Hansen, and Boyd Hansen (Vickie Sachs Hansen), and grandchildren Nicholas Hansen (Kari Kallin Hansen), Kerestin Hansen, and Courtney Hansen, great-grandchildren Kayden Hansen, Aliza Hancock, and Henry Hansen, nephew Donald Cook, and niece Dee Douglass.
Services will be held Friday, July 16 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy. There will be a family gathering from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m., a visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Internment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens.
Our deepest condolences to the Hansen Family. Dawn was a wonderful person and will be missed.
I am so so sorry for your loss. I loved Dawn and had many good memories with her and the rest of the family. I've known the family for over 60 years and had a friendship with Debbie since before kindergarten. I hope that Mel, Debbie, Jeff and Boyd along with their families find comfort with each other to get through this very sad time in your lives. I will keep you all in my thoughts and am sending my love to you all.
Mel Hansen Family
As I reflect back on the years we lived here, I recalled the first day we moved into the neighborhood, Mel was one of first people to meet us, offered us a beer. Offered to help move in heavy furniture offered to help fix anything or chat with us. Move forward, I begin to think about how much time has gone by visiting with Dawn. Listening to my life and sharing with me the good old days. We have many chats about life. I always felt I wasn’t just a neighbor. She loved my family like their own. Looking back, on the last Christmas.she Made sure we had what we needed, always looking out for us. Then we had our last conversation. She told me about how things use to be in the neighborhood. The kids running around. Not many houses were on this street. Times have changed. I will never forget our conversations. Dawn your with us. We will miss you terribly. You fought hard. We will watch over your family.
Love Launa Matt Kylie and Alexis
Dawn was my best friend for over 60 years. We had many good times with her and Mel and family
.. we will miss her deeply. Larry and I send our love to
her family.
Dear Mel and family,
I'm so very sorry for the loss of your sweet Dawn. She was and IS such a loving, bubbly, accepting, friendly person who will be missed so much. The angels in heaven are rejoicing at her return, but it is so hard to say goodbye - just for now- to such a beloved person. It's truly been a great pleasure knowing her. I pray the Lord will bless you all during this difficult time.
With much love and sympathy~
Most of my memories of my aunt Dawn are from family parties at Christmas and birthdays. She was fun to talk to and I enjoyed listening to her view of things. My heart is with you all and I wish I could be there.
I love you Mom. I will miss you everyday for the rest of my life. Thank you for being the Mom ever and my best friend. ❤
So sorry for your loss. I apologize for this being late. It took several days to find out. May you all be comforted at this tender time.