Mary Louise Hansen Coles

Mary Louise “Mary Lou” Hansen Coles was born January 12, 1929, in Ephraim, Utah, to Ora Leo and Lola Tuft Hansen. At the age of 12, she moved with her family to live in the Avenues in Salt Lake City, the neighborhood where she raised her children and spent most of her life.

Mary Lou met Laurie Bruce “Mike” Coles (her best friend Pat’s brother) when she was in junior high. Mike said he knew he’d marry Mary Lou as soon as he met her, and he kept her picture in his locker at West High School. Mike and Mary Lou were married in the Salt Lake City temple on March 10, 1950, after Mike returned from his mission in Sweden. Mike and Mary Lou enjoyed 70 years of life and raising four children together.

Mary Lou worked for Continental Oil Company for five years after graduating from West High School. Mary Lou and Mike were stationed around the country for two years while he trained as a military officer, and Mike was deployed in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War. With Mary Lou’s support, Mike served a total of 26 years in the Marines and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She also worked at ZCMI as a department store manager, where she retired in1994. 

After their retirement, Mary Lou and Mike fulfilled a lifetime dream of traveling to Sweden. Mary Lou’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. She loved to make her famous “pink cookies” for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who she adored and could always be found helping someone. Mary Lou and Mike loved holidays and enjoyed watching the fireworks from their home high on J Street and setting out an elaborate display of trains and flocked trees for Christmas. Mary Lou’s petite stature belied her endless energy. She was completely devoted to her children and grandchildren and was always willing to do anything asked of her. She worked tirelessly to make her home a clean and welcoming refuge for all.

Mary Lou was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served as relief society president and primary president, but she most enjoyed planning and undertaking youth activities with Mike. Mary Lou loved spending summers with family and friends. After Mike bought a boat without asking her, she grew to enjoy boating and waterskiing. Neighborhood kids still remember legendary trips to Lake Powell with the Coles family.

Mary Lou is survived by three of her children, Scott (Pam), Laurie Stevens (Scott), and Michelle Webster (Robb), daughter-in-law Marn Coles, 15 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren, with one more expected to be born next week. She is proceeded in death by her husband Mike, her oldest son Michael and granddaughter Kristen Coles, as well as her parents, her sister Ruth Magelby and her brother Roger Hansen.

Funeral services will begin at 11 am on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple. A viewing will be held the preceding night (Friday) from 6:30-8 pm at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple. You may visit with the family from 9-10:30 am prior to the service on Saturday at Larkin Mortuary. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park at 3401 South Highland Dr.