Joshua Lee Hansen

Our beloved son, Joshua Lee Hansen, age 30, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 21, 2022.

He was born on August 21, 1991 in Murray, Utah to Gregory Lee and Susan Martin Hansen. Josh was the 7th of the seven children born to Greg and Susan.

He is survived by his parents, brothers and sisters: Bryce (Brandy), Heather (Josh) McCleery, Zachary (Camilla) and Andrea (Jordan) Harris. Nieces and nephews: Riley, Norah and Jack Hansen; Aubrey, Thaddeus and Jillian McCleery; Nix and Letty Hansen; Ryan, Cici and June Harris. Grandmother Doris E. Steadman and many wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins.

Joshua's birth was a heaven guided gift into our family. He brought joy and completeness to our family.

Josh attended Riverside Elementary, West Jordan Middle, West Jordan High School and Salt Lake Community College. He loved working and learning as an apprentice electrician with his Uncle Brent Hansen who was a patient and kind mentor for him in both work and life skills. Josh loved soccer. He enjoyed classic movies and artsy films. He read classic literature and listened to many different genres of music.

He deeply loved his family and his friends. He would fiercely defend anyone who was given a negative label. He was quick to express thanks and he would apologize sincerely when he was unkind or made bad choices. He wanted to do better and to be better.

Josh was quiet. He was painfully shy. His heart was very tender. He was sensitive to the hearts of others. Josh understood pain and worked hard to not cause pain. Contention or discord on any level was felt by him, and it unsettled him. His shy awkwardness and the pain in his sensitive heart would often keep him removed from social gathering and even the funeral of loved ones. He would be worried that absence would be thought as uncaring. But he cared and loved so deeply.

Most of us remember the shy, very quiet Josh and while his nieces and nephews understood that about him, they were among the very few who knew the whole of Josh. He was totally comfortable when with only them. He was their beloved, silly uncle who played and laughed with them. As a family we gather every Sunday (yes every Sunday) for dinner, birthday celebrations and a Family Home “moment” of spiritual discussion. The rowdy noise from the grandchildren down stairs would prompt me to call to them to 'settle down'. And often their response was “It's not us, it's Josh!” And thanks to kids with cell phones, there is proof that they spoke the truth. I know that his nephews and nieces will carry tender, fun memories of their Uncle Josh (also known as Little Josh) and poor baby Jon-Jon. (You can ask the grand kids who baby Jon-Jon is). When he was younger, Josh expressed to me his wish that he had younger brothers or sisters. He felt this was missing from his life. His nieces an nephews filled this void.

Josh loved and was loved by all our many family pets (dogs). He watched out for their needs and safety making sure gates were shut, water was fresh, meals were on time and they were loved. When one of them was lost, he diligently searched until found. Through the years Willie, Otis, Chispa, Darla and Sully passed away and still the mention of their names would bring him to tears.

Josh recognized the spiritual side of life. He easily recognized Heavenly Father's guidance and blessings. He was aware of angels who watched over him and always kept his witness of the truth of the gospel.

Josh had wonderful childhood friends and he reached out to them when he was in his deepest struggles.

His soul was wounded when he witnessed the death of a friend. When I (his mother) reached out to him after this tragic and traumatizing event, he answered his phone and said “I can't talk. I just want to come home.” Once again Josh has gone to the comfort and safety of home, his heavenly home.

He is with his brother and sister, his grandparents and hopefully he was greeted by the wagging tails of his furry family too.

He touched our lives for good. His gentle ways strengthened our faith and enriched our days. We will hold him forever in our hearts until that great day when we are together again.

Preceded in death by his brother Jeffrey and sister Aubrey Hansen, Grandparents Lee and Margaret Hansen, and Grandfather Elwood (Grandpa Woody) Martin.

Private graveside service (parents, siblings, nieces and nephews only) will be held on Saturday morning, January 29, 2022 at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah.
Family Prayer offered at the graveside by Bryce Hansen. Dedication of the grave by Zachary Hansen.

Memorial luncheon following the graveside for extended family will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Summerhill Stake building (12110 S 1300 W, Riverton, UT 84065) from 1:00-2:00pm.

Open house for friends will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Summerhill Stake building (12110 S 1300 W, Riverton, UT 84065) on January 29th from 2:00 to 3:00pm.