Hope Celeste Hansen Watkins, 89, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away April 13, 1999, at her home.
How do we pay tribute to a character of such amplitude as Hope? Can words demonstrate a life so well lived and well loved?
On a warm summer day in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 18, 1909, the world was graced by the daughter of Beatrice Mary and George Troup Hansen. Her early childhood was spent in the Sunnyside area above East High School in Salt Lake City. She attended the Wasatch and Douglas schools. The family lived at 1409 Federal Way in Salt Lake City. She received high scholastic marks at Bryant Junior High and East High School, where she graduated in 1927.
Her father founded the Utah Southern Oil Company. Her mother founded the Hansen Planetarium in Memory of her father after he passed in 1963.
Hope met her high school sweetheart, George Watkins, during their senior year at East High School. The courtship continued as they continued their education at the University of Utah. She was a member of Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority and an Honor Student at the University. George was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Beehive Honor Society, and an All-American Football player. George earned All Conference Honors three years in a row, one of only six players to receive that distinction in the history of the University of Utah. Hope played an integral part in all of George's accomplishments and endeavors.
They both graduated from the University of Utah in 1931. Difficult Depression years made marriage impossible until things could improve. During those years, Hope taught second and third grades at Lafayette Elementary School in Salt Lake City for $75 a month and George worked for International Harvester Company in the Credit and Collection Department.
On Sept. 22, 1934, after seven years of planning, waiting, and anticipating, Hope and George were married at long last.
During the early years of their marriage, they moved to Brigham City, Utah. George was transferred back to Salt Lake in 1937.
In 1941, the Cory Implement burned down in Idaho Falls. International Harvester needed someone to take over the dealership. Hope and George jumped at the opportunity to rebuild in Idaho Falls. From 1941-1981, Hope supported her husband as a full line International Harvester dealer, branching out in irrigation, farming and commercial real estate businesses, that included motels, restaurants, and office and retail buildings.
Hope was an active member of the Panelinic, Music Club and Republican Women. Her community service included organizing the first Festival of Trees in 1976. The event raised over $25,000 for two new incubators to benefit the hospital. ZCMI awarded her a "Salute to Excellence" in 1993 for the unselfish generosity and devotion "to Help Those in the Community, Who Need Help the Most."
Her immeasurable contributions to us all shall be remembered
far and wide.
Survivors include her three sons, George Jr. (Sharon), Richard Thomas, and Dane (Sherry), all of Idaho Falls; one brother, George T. Hansen Jr. of Salt Lake City, Utah; 11 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one brother, Dane Hansen.
How do we pay tribute to a character of such amplitude as Hope? Can words demonstrate a life so well lived and well loved?
On a warm summer day in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 18, 1909, the world was graced by the daughter of Beatrice Mary and George Troup Hansen. Her early childhood was spent in the Sunnyside area above East High School in Salt Lake City. She attended the Wasatch and Douglas schools. The family lived at 1409 Federal Way in Salt Lake City. She received high scholastic marks at Bryant Junior High and East High School, where she graduated in 1927.
Her father founded the Utah Southern Oil Company. Her mother founded the Hansen Planetarium in Memory of her father after he passed in 1963.
Hope met her high school sweetheart, George Watkins, during their senior year at East High School. The courtship continued as they continued their education at the University of Utah. She was a member of Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority and an Honor Student at the University. George was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Beehive Honor Society, and an All-American Football player. George earned All Conference Honors three years in a row, one of only six players to receive that distinction in the history of the University of Utah. Hope played an integral part in all of George's accomplishments and endeavors.
They both graduated from the University of Utah in 1931. Difficult Depression years made marriage impossible until things could improve. During those years, Hope taught second and third grades at Lafayette Elementary School in Salt Lake City for $75 a month and George worked for International Harvester Company in the Credit and Collection Department.
On Sept. 22, 1934, after seven years of planning, waiting, and anticipating, Hope and George were married at long last.
During the early years of their marriage, they moved to Brigham City, Utah. George was transferred back to Salt Lake in 1937.
In 1941, the Cory Implement burned down in Idaho Falls. International Harvester needed someone to take over the dealership. Hope and George jumped at the opportunity to rebuild in Idaho Falls. From 1941-1981, Hope supported her husband as a full line International Harvester dealer, branching out in irrigation, farming and commercial real estate businesses, that included motels, restaurants, and office and retail buildings.
Hope was an active member of the Panelinic, Music Club and Republican Women. Her community service included organizing the first Festival of Trees in 1976. The event raised over $25,000 for two new incubators to benefit the hospital. ZCMI awarded her a "Salute to Excellence" in 1993 for the unselfish generosity and devotion "to Help Those in the Community, Who Need Help the Most."
Her immeasurable contributions to us all shall be remembered
far and wide.
Survivors include her three sons, George Jr. (Sharon), Richard Thomas, and Dane (Sherry), all of Idaho Falls; one brother, George T. Hansen Jr. of Salt Lake City, Utah; 11 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one brother, Dane Hansen.
Hope Celeste Hansen Watkins, 89, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away April 13, 1999, at her home.
How do we pay tribute to a character of such amplitude as Hope? Can words demonstrate a life so well lived and well loved?
On a warm summer day in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 18, 1909, the world was graced by the daughter of Beatrice Mary and George Troup Hansen. Her early childhood was spent in the Sunnyside area above East High School in Salt Lake City. She attended the Wasatch and Douglas schools. The family lived at 1409 Federal Way in Salt Lake City. She received high scholastic marks at Bryant Junior High and East High School, where she graduated in 1927.
Her father founded the Utah Southern Oil Company. Her mother founded the Hansen Planetarium in Memory of her father after he passed in 1963.
Hope met her high school sweetheart, George Watkins, during their senior year at East High School. The courtship continued as they continued their education at the University of Utah. She was a member of Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority and an Honor Student at the University. George was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Beehive Honor Society, and an All-American Football player. George earned All Conference Honors three years in a row, one of only six players to receive that distinction in the history of the University of Utah. Hope played an integral part in all of George's accomplishments and endeavors.
They both graduated from the University of Utah in 1931. Difficult Depression years made marriage impossible until things could improve. During those years, Hope taught second and third grades at Lafayette Elementary School in Salt Lake City for $75 a month and George worked for International Harvester Company in the Credit and Collection Department.
On Sept. 22, 1934, after seven years of planning, waiting, and anticipating, Hope and George were married at long last.
During the early years of their marriage, they moved to Brigham City, Utah. George was transferred back to Salt Lake in 1937.
In 1941, the Cory Implement burned down in Idaho Falls. International Harvester needed someone to take over the dealership. Hope and George jumped at the opportunity to rebuild in Idaho Falls. From 1941-1981, Hope supported her husband as a full line International Harvester dealer, branching out in irrigation, farming and commercial real estate businesses, that included motels, restaurants, and office and retail buildings.
Hope was an active member of the Panelinic, Music Club and Republican Women. Her community service included organizing the first Festival of Trees in 1976. The event raised over $25,000 for two new incubators to benefit the hospital. ZCMI awarded her a "Salute to Excellence" in 1993 for the unselfish generosity and devotion "to Help Those in the Community, Who Need Help the Most."
Her immeasurable contributions to us all shall be remembered
far and wide.
Survivors include her three sons, George Jr. (Sharon), Richard Thomas, and Dane (Sherry), all of Idaho Falls; one brother, George T. Hansen Jr. of Salt Lake City, Utah; 11 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one brother, Dane Hansen.
How do we pay tribute to a character of such amplitude as Hope? Can words demonstrate a life so well lived and well loved?
On a warm summer day in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 18, 1909, the world was graced by the daughter of Beatrice Mary and George Troup Hansen. Her early childhood was spent in the Sunnyside area above East High School in Salt Lake City. She attended the Wasatch and Douglas schools. The family lived at 1409 Federal Way in Salt Lake City. She received high scholastic marks at Bryant Junior High and East High School, where she graduated in 1927.
Her father founded the Utah Southern Oil Company. Her mother founded the Hansen Planetarium in Memory of her father after he passed in 1963.
Hope met her high school sweetheart, George Watkins, during their senior year at East High School. The courtship continued as they continued their education at the University of Utah. She was a member of Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority and an Honor Student at the University. George was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Beehive Honor Society, and an All-American Football player. George earned All Conference Honors three years in a row, one of only six players to receive that distinction in the history of the University of Utah. Hope played an integral part in all of George's accomplishments and endeavors.
They both graduated from the University of Utah in 1931. Difficult Depression years made marriage impossible until things could improve. During those years, Hope taught second and third grades at Lafayette Elementary School in Salt Lake City for $75 a month and George worked for International Harvester Company in the Credit and Collection Department.
On Sept. 22, 1934, after seven years of planning, waiting, and anticipating, Hope and George were married at long last.
During the early years of their marriage, they moved to Brigham City, Utah. George was transferred back to Salt Lake in 1937.
In 1941, the Cory Implement burned down in Idaho Falls. International Harvester needed someone to take over the dealership. Hope and George jumped at the opportunity to rebuild in Idaho Falls. From 1941-1981, Hope supported her husband as a full line International Harvester dealer, branching out in irrigation, farming and commercial real estate businesses, that included motels, restaurants, and office and retail buildings.
Hope was an active member of the Panelinic, Music Club and Republican Women. Her community service included organizing the first Festival of Trees in 1976. The event raised over $25,000 for two new incubators to benefit the hospital. ZCMI awarded her a "Salute to Excellence" in 1993 for the unselfish generosity and devotion "to Help Those in the Community, Who Need Help the Most."
Her immeasurable contributions to us all shall be remembered
far and wide.
Survivors include her three sons, George Jr. (Sharon), Richard Thomas, and Dane (Sherry), all of Idaho Falls; one brother, George T. Hansen Jr. of Salt Lake City, Utah; 11 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one brother, Dane Hansen.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
