THE HANSEN FAMILY
by Kirsti Hansen History 397R Brigham Young UniversityProf. William Hartley December 21, 1995
PREFACE
My grandfather, Russell Herman Hansen, died on October 25, 1983. I was seven years old. I can't remember very much about my grandfather and I thought a good way to get to know him better was to find out about his life. Also, since I am the fifth oldest grandchild, out of 26 grandchildren, many of my cousins don't know him at all. Hopefully this paper will be able to let them get a small glimpse of his life. I will also focus on his family . Ramona, his wife, and Pennie, Grant, Mark, Tom, Gayle, James, and Alan, his children. This paper is taken from his diary where he has included newspaper clippings, letters he has received, and different memorabilia. I have also interviewed his wife, Ramona, and four of his son's: Grant, Mark, James, and Alan. I have looked at city directories, and other documents, such as birth and death records, and church records. This paper will focus on the dates May 31, 1949 to the present year 1995. They lived in the Utah County area, Orem and Spanish Fork. All of the marriage dates for the children are taken from the family group sheet. The headings in the book are to identify different points in the chronology of the paper. They will not always just talk about that certain subject. I would like to thank my grandmother, Ramona R. Hansen for all the help she has been. Also all those I interviewed or asked questions I would like to thank. I would like to thank Professor Hartley for the help he has been in the development of this paper.
COURTING
"Ain't love grand!" Russell wrote this after he spent the day with Ramona, the first in two years. The LDS church released Russell from his service as a LDS missionary on Tuesday, May 31, 1949. He had just served in the Western States Mission and commented in his journal that it felt "funny" to be released; he was at a loss of what do. He fixed that by cleaning a garage in the area, Silver City, New Mexico, and making a work bench for the person! He stayed with his very good friends, the Romneys, for a couple of days. He then headed, not home to Orem, Utah, but to Bennettsville, South Carolina. He arrived there June the 6th in anticipation of meeting his fiancée. Ramona, his intended, was not there but was coming on the 8th. He was "treated superior" by those who were there: "Mom" Rainwater (Mary Eunice Grant), "Pop" Rainwater (Samuel Jackson Rainwater)(1), George, and Sylvia (Ramona's brother and sister). On the 8th Ramona came but did not know Russell was there. Russell said that her mouth dropped open and that she couldn't talk for ten minutes when she saw him.(2)
Russell was five feet eight inches and had brown hair. He had a light complexion. Ramona was five feet one inch and also had brown hair. She had a medium complexion. They stayed in Bennettsville for a week. That Sunday they both gave talks in Sunday School. June the 15th, that following Wednesday, they headed toward Washington D.C. Ramona's younger sister (by two and a half years) Sylvia accompanied them. At Washington, Russell called up his sister Ruth, who was living there for the summer. She met them and they took a tour of the town. Some of the sites they saw were: the Senate chambers (they were debating the Taft/Hartley Act), the House of Representatives chambers (Russell says they were just debating!), Smithsonian Institute, Arlington Cemetery, Lee's Home, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Mt. Vernon. They spent the night at Senator Arthur Watkins' place, he was Russell's sister Ruth's father-in-law. They then went to Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, to see Ramona's sister Vera and her husband Fred Phillips. They then traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, to see Ramona's brother Samuel Jackson Rainwater (Jack), his wife Marie, and their son Samuel Jackson Rainwater, Junior (Jackie). They finally arrived at Orem, Utah on the 23rd of June, at 8:00 in the morning. Russell said it was "good to be home;" he had been gone for two years!(3) June 30 Russell was able to speak in the Sharon Ward for a homecoming. His father, Emil, and sister, Geraldine, sang a duet.(4)
Russell Herman Hansen, born on April 12, 1927,(5) and Edna Ramona Rainwater, born on May 13, 1929,(6) were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 29th, 1949. Russell's first companion in the mission field, Robert A. Bruening, and his father, Valdemar Emil Hansen were his witnesses for the marriage.(7) Ramona had gone to Utah in September of 1946 to attend Brigham Young University. She studied to be a secretary. Lloyd Gunther, the missionary who had converted Ramona's family, visited her and had her meet his wife's sister and husband (Gordon and LeLa). Gordon and LeLa had Ramona met Gordon's brother, Russell, and they started dating. They went out a couple of times and then didn't see each other until March 1947. May 13 they became engaged, which happened to be Ramona's birthday. That June, Russell left for his mission and Ramona went back home. She worked at Borro Wood Products and later went on a mission to Southern States Mission for nine months. She served in Birmingham , Alabama, for three months, and Tallahassee, Florida, for six months.(8)
EARLY YEARS
Russell bought his marriage license on June 27, 1949, when phone numbers in Orem were only two digits long, and licenses only $2.50.(9) He bought his first car on his wedding day, a gray1939 Plymouth Sedan from August Johnson, a friend of the families, for $500.00. He had to borrow the money from the bank. The couple spent their first few months in the basement of Russell's parent's place. They were in the Sharon Ward. Russell taught the Elders class, helped teach the missionary class, taught the advance senior class, and was a "ward teacher", which today are home teachers. Ramona was the missionary teacher. During this time Russell worked at the Geneva Steel Plant full time. He worked in the inspection department, earned $1.14 per hour, and worked eight hours a day. For one week he worked from 8:00 to 4:00 (days), the next week he worked from 4:00 to 12:00 (swing), and the third week he worked from 12:00 to 8:00 (graveyard). He then started all over again. He did not like working at the plant because of the shift work.(10) The Geneva Steel Plant was a multi-million-dollar industry that employed over 5,000 people at that time.(11) The plant had started up during World War II and was owned by the Columbia Steel Company. The plant was fairly new with production starting in December of 1943.(12) On September 16th they moved to 8oo N 800 E, Orem.(13)
VERMONT
Their new home was in the Vermont Ward. They fixed up the small-three room home they were renting and moved in. Since Russell's father owned a wallpapering and painting business they got the materials they needed for free. Ramona said that the place looked like a "dollhouse."(14) The Vermont ward put them to work right away. Russell taught the Elders Qurom, with the help of Vern Stratton, taught the teacher of the advance senior class, with the help of Leo Ford, was the drama director in the mutual, and stake M-Men supervisor (not to mention a home teacher, his companion was Vern Stratton). Ramona was the Junior girl teacher in the M.I.A.(15)
During the winter of 1950 he played on the church basketball team. Their uniforms were gold. His team, Vermont, did very well beating Orem First 42-32 with Russell getting 14 points. They played the championship game against Vineyard but lost; they came in 2nd. On January 3rd Russell started Brigham Young University (B.Y.U.). February 2nd Russell and Ramona went to the Orem Stake Gleaner-M Men dinner-dance. Russell was the assistant to the whole activity. Three hundred tickets were sold, Russell sold 47. The program that evening included a pantomime by Jerry (Geraldine), Russell's sister. The theme that evening was sportsmanship, and Russell's team, Vermont, won that trophy. Also that evening, Russell was named on the stake all-star team, first team.(16)
PENNIE
April 20, 1950 Russell and Ramona were overjoyed to have their first child, a daughter named Pennie Sue Hansen.(17) This name was Mary's (Ramona's mother's) favorite aunt's name. When Ramona was younger she would name her dolls Pennie. She weighed 5 lb.. and 11oz. The hospital was crowded that day and the newspaper had a section that said "Thinker Bigger Hospital Isn't Needed? Read This." The 54 patient capacity of the hospital was pushed to 74 patients that day and Ramona had to be in a bed in the hallway before she could be put in a room! After the delivery Ramona asked how the baby was and Russell told her she was fine. Ramona commented "That wasn't hard, I guess I'll have a dozen." The Hansens sent out a poem to friends and family telling of their new arrival. Since Ramona was at the hospital, Russell started cleaning the house. He helped around the house when Ramona was sick or pregnant. "Mom" Rainwater came over for two weeks to help out. Russell said that he didn't know how they could have gotten by without her.(18)
The war in Korea didn't look very good to Russell in July of 1950. He hoped that the country would not get into another war. One day at 4:00 when Russell came home Ramona told him that there was a war in Korea; she had been listening to the radio. He didn't know if the draft would get him and said he'd have to wait and see. It didn't get him, though he wasn't very worried because he had a wife and a small child.(19)
Ramona kept house during the day. She busied herself with cleaning the house, sewing, and taking care of Pennie. Since she was the teacher for the M.I.A. she had activities during the week. In fact, her class gave her a surprise baby shower before she had Pennie.(20)
Russell played on the softball team the summer of 1950 and got to be on the all-star team. His all-star team won the Utah County Softball Tourney that was held at Spanish Fork. They played Salem and won 10-3. Russell hit a triple during the game; he played in the left field. That winter he played on the basketball team and their ward received the sportsmanship trophy, again, during the Gleaner-M Men dinner-dance. Russell was named on the second all-star team. The all-star team almost won the Provo Invitational basketball tournament, but got second place and tied for the sportsmanship award.
LIFE INSURANCE
Russell decided to try something new and started selling life insurance for Security Life and Accident Company. He started in the winter of 1951. He had to take some classes for the company and studied his books. He received certificates for the classes: accident and health underwriting, home office training course, and the sales training course.(21) He was in the big ten leading personal producers twice in June, as number five.(22) By March of 1951 his income was $12.00 a month by selling insurance. This was low but it was a part time job and he had only been in the business for a short time. He liked to sell insurance a lot more than working at the plant, though he had to supplement his income by working there also.
GRANT
April 18, 1951 at about 8:45 Ramona and Russell were "blessed with a little boy."(23) They named him Grant Russell Hansen; he weighed 6 lb.. 2 1/4 oz. Grant was the maiden name of Mary Eunice (Ramona's mother). Grant's middle name was after his father. Pennie went to stay with her grandparents, Ida and Valdemar Hansen. Ramona was in a lot of pain 24 hours leading up to the delivery. Russell was afraid it would have to be a cesarean, but it wasn't. Russell again helped out at the house and said he was "refinishing the house-painting and papering and washing." He did it so that Ramona would have the Spring housecleaning done. When Ramona came home she worked all day and then in the night she woke up two or three times, with Grant and Pennie.(24) She was a typical mother.
In June 1951, Russell, Ramona, Pennie, and Grant left to go to South Carolina to visit Ramona's parents. They stopped by George's (Ramona's brother) and Jack's place (Ramona's brother) and stayed for a little while, so Russell could sleep a little. They then proceeded to Bennettsville, S.C. and got there Monday (they had left Friday). Russell slept a day and headed home taking a detour to go visit some people from his mission. Ramona stayed and had a nice time visiting with her parents. Her parents were happy to see their grandchildren! While they were gone Russell worked and went fishing. One trip he took was to Wyoming for two days in July.(25) With his job selling life insurance Russell had qualified himself to go to the national convention they were holding, but he sent back the money. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his career, so he prayed intensely. The next day when he woke up, the Cloverleaf Dairy was on his mind. He called them and told them he wanted their next job open as a milk man. They called him a couple of weeks later and told him they had a job for him. He asked them to hold it for him because he needed to go pick up his wife, and they did.
DAIRY
Russell started working at the dairy on September 16, 1951. He stopped selling insurance and quit the steel plant. It was an eight-hour job and his route was #21 and #22. Russell got up at 5:30 in the morning and was at the dairy at 6:00. He loaded up his truck and delivered the products. He then went home to eat lunch and went back to the dairy until dinner time. That winter, 1951-52, was very hard. The white snow started falling the first of November and didn't let up. Russell had some rough days delivering milk. One morning when it was snowy and icy, not to mention cold, Russell was delivering his milk. He accidentally hit a pothole and went skidding. Since he was standing up and driving, all the steel boxes holding the milk pinned him down. He hollered and tried to get someone to help him, but it was too early in the morning. He slowly unpinned himself, delivered the rest of the milk, and went back to the dairy. Some of the milk bottles had broken and it was a mess to clean up!(26) One morning he received a note that said "cold isn't it?". It was ten below and about 6 a.m! Russell was able to win some gifts from the dairy for Christmas that year. In the dairy you could earn points if you brought in new customers. Russell earned so many points he was able to get a Westinghouse vacuum cleaner, a Sunbeam mixmaster, 3 pair of nylons, a fishing pole, a chicken fryer, a tie pin, a heating pad, one week paid vacation, and a waffle iron.
A MOVE
On January 9, 1952 the Hansens moved to a new home in Orem, 856 N. 257 E. The house cost them $7,600.00. They paid $1,000.00 down, Valdemar gave them $500.00 and they borrowed $500.00 from the bank. They paid $56.00 a month. Their new home had a coal furnace in the bottom, so they had to buy coal for it, which cost $12.00 a ton. The coal was delivered through the trap doors, on the side of the house, that went straight down to the coal room, in the basement.(27) In March of 1952 they applied for gas space heating, which they later got. That same month Russell bought Ramona a Bendix automatic washer, for $300.00, and a gas hot water heater for $88.50. Now she didn't have to put the clothes through a wringer, and the furnace wouldn't have to heat her water. They also got a water softener unit and Russell was sure happy with that!(28)
That spring Pennie got the measles. She had a high temperature and once she broke out she felt better. Her fever then went up, her breathing was faster, and her heart started beating faster. They rushed her to the doctor and found that she had pneumonia. She received a shot of penicillin and was given a blessing by her father and grandfather. The next day she felt better and started to improve. Meanwhile, Grant got sick with the measles, but he soon got better.
Russell and Ramona took their two young children on many outings. They went on picnics, to the park, tubing with the children in the winter and so on. They sometimes went to the drive-in. One such time, when Pennie was two and Grant was one, Pennie fell asleep, but Grant was a trouble maker (or "rascal" as Russell put it). He played with the gears, steering wheel, radio, window knobs, and when he was done he started to cry and cry. Ramona and Russell decided to go home.(29) Pennie was a smart little girl, and the girls that Ramona taught, at church, loved to try to get her to count. She could count, at age two, 1+1=2, 2+2=4, 4+4=8, 8+8=16, 16+16=32.(30) They would sometimes try to trick her, but she was too smart and knew her addition! Pennie started Junior Sunday school when she was one-and-a-half, Grant also started at that age (he went with Pennie). Russell appreciated how good their children were in Sunday school.
WEAR-EVER
Russell quit the dairy around May and started working for the Wear-Ever Aluminum Company on May 17 as a salesman. His territory was the Utah, Sanpete, and Carbon Counties.(31) Russell did very well! He worked 67 hours, 79 hours, and so on every week. He advanced to a senior rate in commission. He was even put in the company's newsletter because of his success; it went to about 8,000 people.(32) After working for them for five months he decided to quit. He was working ten hours a day, except for Sundays, and he and Ramona were not very happy. He got his job back at the dairy, with the same route. He also worked with his brother, Gordon, wallpapering and painting. One week Russell worked 50 hours at the dairy and 26 hours with Gordon. With that, he earned $66.00 at the dairy and $39.00 with Gordon. He'd leave at 6:00 to the dairy and work there until 2:00. He would then work with Gordon until about 7:00 or 8:00.
CHURCH CALLINGS
At this same time Russell was in the Seventies presidency and first counselor in the stake mission presidency. On February 5, 1953 Russell was advanced to a seventy by President Oscar A. Kirkham. Oscar Kirkham was on the council of seventies and the representative that day for the high church officials at the stake conference held at Orem. Ramona was a teacher in the young women's organization.
Russell later became the president of the stake mission presidency. He was set apart in Salt Lake by S. Dilworth Young, on December 23, 1957. In September of 1959 they reorganized the presidency, with Russell still as the president. Russell served in the presidency for five years.(33)
On Sunday January 27, 1963, Russell was sustained the bishop to the new Orem 26th ward. He was ordained a bishop and a High Priest by President N. Eldon Tanner, of the LDS First Presidency, on February 17,1963. He served for-seven-and-a-half years. He was released on Sunday June 21, 1970. On November 1, 1970, the Orem stake was split by Elder Mark E. Peterson who represented the church. Russell was sustained as a high councilman to the new North Orem Stake High Council.
DEBT
They sold their "old red Ford" and bought a 1949 Nash for $1,350.00. At this time they were in debt, as they had been since they were married. Russell had many sleepless nights thinking of the money they owed but felt he was happier than he ever had been. He and Ramona sold the Nash (or "Nashcan," trashcan, as Russell called it), because it broke down so much. They bought a 1937 Ford for $160.00. They decided that their goal was to be out of debt by December 25, 1954, two years away.
WINTER
That Christmas the two children each received a red tricycle from Santa. Russell felt they had the two cutest children he knew. In early January Pennie, Grant, and Ramona were all sick. The two children had a "rough sounding cough" and Ramona had a "headache, sore throat, her teeth ache, pains all over, and just miserable." Ida and Emil came over to see how every one was doing and were thrilled over Pennie because she could put together a puzzle so well. She got it for Christmas. They would hand her a piece and she would point to where it should go. Grant was also cute. He would say "Wa, Wa" for milk. He was so sick that he just wanted his dad to hold him and he laid his head on his dad's shoulder. The cold was going around that year and since Russell knew how to give shots, he did that for people.(34)
MARK
On January 15, 1953 another boy arrived.(35) They named him Mark Emil Hansen. They liked the name Mark and Emil came from his grandfather's middle name (Valdemar Emil). Ramona told Russell on the 14th during lunch that they would be getting a baby pretty soon. Russell rushed around the rest of the day. He ran through his route, helped pack, and so on. At 3:00 a.m. Russell went outside and brushed the snow off the car, it had been a blizzard that day. They packed everyone into the car and headed toward Russell's parent's house. They dropped off the kids and went to the hospital. Mark arrived at about 8:55 a.m. and weighed 5 lbs.15 oz. Ramona stayed in the hospital for three days and the children stayed at their grandparents for a couple of days after that.
Russell and Ramona did fun things with their children that summer. One time they took a ride in their car. Russell took Pennie and Grant on a ride in a small train and Grant was so thrilled he didn't speak for fifteen minutes "just thinking about it." They then went to the Dairy Freeze and got an ice cream cone.
Russell started school again and went fall quarter in 1953. He was 26 years old and had been married for 4 years, with 3 children (and another one on the way). He was just painting now and going to school. He had quit the dairy farm. He was also on the Orem all-star team again.
TOM
On December 16, 1953 their third son, Thomas Brent Hansen, was born.(36) Tom was named Thomas because there were many of them in the family line. Brent was a name that they both liked. He weighed 6 lb.. and 11oz. He came at 5:24 a.m. Russell had his mother come tend their children while they were away. After the birth he had to take some final tests of the quarter. His mother took the children to her place, so the place was quiet for Russell. He remembered how he had "hollered" at his children to be quiet, "talk lower, play quieter", and so on. But with everything so quiet he realized how much he loved them to be around.
On Marky's (Mark's) first birthday they lit one candle on the cake and sang "Happy Birthday." Russell put the cake in front of Mark, and before he could show him how to blow out the candle, Mark had put out the candle with his hand. He had two handfuls of cake and icing. Everyone just laughed. Mark also walked farther than he ever had, about ten feet.(37)
THE CHILDREN
In February 1954, Pennie was 3, Grant 2, Mark 1, and Tom was 2 months. This same year Brown vs. The Board of Education was decided and racial segregation in schools was decided to be a violation of the fourteenth amendment.(38) I'm sure this momentous occasion did not stir the Hansen children. At the moment they were too busy playing. Pennie at that time was "smarter than a whip" and ruled the "roost". Grant was a very determined boy and when he decided he wanted to do something they had a "hard time to change him." Mark wasn't old enough to get into trouble but was a "cutie pie" and his first words were "Rise and Shout" from the B.Y.U. song. Russell said that when the other kids would come hug him Mark would get jealous and pull them off and then cuddle up to him. Tom had colic at the time and Ramona had to hold him almost the whole night. In fact, one day she had to hold him for about 20 hours straight.
They were having problems with their Ford, but as Russell said:
Our little old broke down beat up Ford is about all done out but we are going to run her til she drops over and won't rattle, or squirk, or clank, or clink, or trudge another mile!
In March 1955, Russell had 163 credit hours with only 23 more to go (he needed 186 to graduate). Pennie, who was almost five, had long brown hair and could count up to 50. She could make her bed and could help make her parent's bed . She also helped set the table; Russell said that she helped a lot. Grant, who was four, loved to play cowboys and could hardly eat he was so busy. He had a great imagination! He would pick up his toys and even put away his clothes neatly. Mark, who was two, played with the older kids as if he were as big as them. Russell said that he could talk just as well as the older kids. Tom, who was 1, weighed 25 lb.. and had just learned to walk. Russell said that Tom was very strong and that "when he puts his weight into it, things move." He shakes his head up and down for "yes" and sideways for "no." On Mother's day, Tom "stole the show" by being so "sweet" and "cute." In June of that same year all of the kids got stick horses that their grandfather had made for them. They rode them all that afternoon and the kids in the neighborhood came to watch them. The children felt as if they were kings and queens.(39)
GRADUATION
On August 19, 1955, Russell graduated from college. There were about 250 others who graduated with him that summer session. He had started college ten years before and finally got his diploma, handed to him by Elder Harold B. Lee. Russell writes "credit goes to my wife who did without the necessities of life so that I might attend B.Y.U." He also wrote about his parents saying "just when it looked like I would not be able to go any further they would pay our bills and we would start again." Ramona later wrote in response to his praise of her that he deserved the credit. She says
He was a very determined person in regards to finishing college so that he could teach. In fact Russ is determined in everything that he does. When he takes on something; it becomes a challenge and he tried to do his very best. He has been and is a wonderful husband and father. His thoughts and actions are all toward the future for the family. I never dreamed that I would have such a happy and wonderful life, but I realize how much I have been blessed by my Father in Heaven.(40)
Russell started teaching fourth grade at Westmore school on September 6, 1955.
While he was teaching school he also painted on the side. They had so many bills that Russell decided to paint every night. Also, Ramona started to sell Derit, which was a food supplement.(41)
Ramona and Russell took a vacation that winter. They went west to California with Vern and Joan Stratton. Russell checked out a new job that he could have obtained. It paid $4,500.00 compared to his $3,200.00 a year. He turned down the offer because he didn't want his kids growing up in that kind of environment and he didn't like how crowded it was. They went to Disneyland, the Los Angeles Temple (which was new), and Las Vegas. At the end of the trip Russell was glad to get back home to Utah and "particularly Utah Valley." In January, Russell put down his goals for the year, and number one was to get out of debt. His motto for the year was "It's what you do with what you got that counts." The family goals for the new year were to get to church and sacrament meetings "every possible Sunday," have family home evening once a week, and Ramona and Russell were going to try to have more patience with their children.
At Westmore School, which was located at 1150 South Main Street in Orem, Russell taught seven years in the same room, #13. He taught the fourth grade for five years and the sixth grade for two years. On May 1, 1962, Russell found out that he was to be the new principal; he was to start the next school year. He was a principal at Cedar Valley for a year and then was transferred to Spencer Elementary, 811 South State, as the principal. He was at Spencer Elementary from 1962-1965. He then went to Windsor School, at 1315 North Main Street Orem, to be the principal in 1965-66. He was there until 1972.(42) Windsor was the first school where he did administrative duties all day, and didn't teach. The school was worth a half-million dollars, with 15 teachers, 10 staff members, and 450 students. Utah schools expanded a lot while Russell taught; from 1945 to 1971 the number of school increased thirty percent.(43)
Russell became the first vice-president to the Alpine Education Association in September of 1958. The next year he was president and the year after that second vice-president. The association organized the Utah County Education Association which consisted of three members from the association of Alpine, Nebo, and Provo. In 1959 Russell was the chairman of the board in the Utah County Education Association.(44)
Russell received his master's degree, from Brigham Young University, in Educational Administration on May, 25 1962. His thesis was "A Study of the Effectiveness of the Orientation Programs of the Alpine School District." His minor was Educational Instruction. He went to school at night after working at school. During the summer he went to school during the day and painted during the night. The fall of 1963, Russell started attending the University of Utah, working on his doctoral degree.
BACK EAST
The summer of 1956 they took a vacation to the East. Pennie was six , Grant five, Mark three, and Tom two. The family rented a house trailer because Ramona was expecting another baby, and the only way the doctor would let her go was if she could lay down. They traveled to South Carolina to visit Ramona's parents. They spent a month there visiting and Russell got a fishing license. They came home by going through Springfield, Illinois and visited Lincoln's home. They went to Carthage and Nauvoo, visiting LDS history sites. They went to Mark Twain's home, Far West, and Adam-ondi-Ahmam. The rest of the summer Russell did painting jobs and Ramona took care of the children and the house.
GAYLE
Their second girl was born November 7, 1956; they named her Gayle Hansen.(45) Ramona had liked the name Gayle for a long time. Before Gayle was born Ramona had false labor, seven weeks before, and Ramona had to rest and lie down a lot. Russell helped take care of some of the house work and they had a girl come every once in a while to help do a few things. Pennie was the oldest, at six, and so the children really couldn't help out that much. Russell took Ramona to the hospital the afternoon of November 6 and she was in labor until 2:50 p.m. the next day. Gayle was finally born and Russell said she was "a cute little thing, with big bright eyes. We love her, and [are] glad she is here."
HUNTING
Russell loved to hunt, and in September 1956 he went hunting. Bow hunting he shot a deer that was 59 yards away. A few days later he killed another deer for his friends.
In October he went hunting again, this time with a rifle. He sat around all morning with his rifle but didn't see a thing. He decided to get his bow and said "boy did the guys laugh!" He went out with his bow and shot an eight point, 200 lb. deer! In September 1957 Russell shot two deer with one shot! He wrote "I didn't know one was standing behind the other."
CHURCH
On January 20, 1956 Grant gave his first talk in church; he was almost five years old. It was the 2 and1/2 minute talk in Sunday School. Russell said he did very well. That same day while Russell was up on the stand in Sunday school, Mark, who had just turned three, was brought to him, crying. They had put him in a new class and Russell had promised him that he would take him to the new class. So, Mark would not go in. After a while Mark asked why he wouldn't take him to his class. Russell took him to his class and Mark was "as happy as could be." Tom, who was 2, went to class all by himself. Pennie, who was almost 6, could read to a second grade level and had only been reading for four months. Russell said he had "never seen a child so eager to read." He said she read better than someone he had in the fourth grade.
On November 7, 1957 the Hansen home celebrated Gayle's first birthday. They had a party that night and had "a lot of fun with Gayle." Russell and Ramona were planning to go square dancing that night but canceled it because Gayle was so excited she couldn't sleep. So, Ramona and Russell played with her that night instead. December 15, 1957 Tom's birthday was celebrated. They mixed up Tom's and Mark's birthdays and so they celebrated his on the fifth instead of the sixteenth (Mark's birthday was on the fifteenth). He was four years old. Russell wrote that he was "getting quite independent." Mark and Tom played together during the day when Pennie and Grant were at school. Mark really wanted to be in school. Grant loved school and was in the first grade. Pennie was in the second grade and her dad wrote that she read better than half his class of fourth graders.(46)
Christmas in 1957 started at 7:00 a.m. when Pennie got up. The boys were still asleep so they were awakened up and everyone went into the front room. Pennie received a doll, and some roller-skates she had really wanted. Grant had wanted a sled and he got a round tube. Mark and Tom also got round sleds and some other toys. Gayle got a doll, but she didn't want hers; she wanted Pennie's. That night, when all the kids were in bed, Russell cooked Ramona supper and they both ate it by candle light.
CRISIS
Tom was lost. Russell took the family to the sand dunes for a picnic on his birthday. Somehow Tom got lost and they searched for two hours! Russell wrote that he and Ramona almost went "insane." Russell "walked miles and miles just frantic." A friend who had gone with them started out where Pennie had seen him last and tracked him down; it took him a few miles. Russell wrote, "We all prayed very hard to find Tom and our Father in Heaven answered our prayers." On the way home their tire became flat, but they weren't very worried because all they cared about was the fact that they had found Tom. Russell wrote "This was the first time in my life thus far that I could not think straight. We found out why you leave the 99 and search for the 1."
In June of 1958, Russell bought an old truck and 100 colonies of bees, for $1,500.00. He liked to fool around with them, though he got stung every once in a while. In July of that summer, the family went to Yellowstone and the Teton River. They left Gayle at Ida's and Valdemar's (Russell's mom and dad) house. Russell went salmon fishing and caught a 15 lb. fish.
1959 brought two new states into the Union, Alaska and Hawaii. It also brought the Hansen family a new home, still in Orem, at 336 N 750 E.(47) Mark later said:
I remember the first night we were in our new home, we had the water on in the kitchen sink. Grant lifted up one of those sprayer things, where you pull the nozzle out, and pointed it at my dad and said "What is this?", and shot him right in the face. He [Grant] had no idea what that was, it was a new thing. We all laughed.(48)
JAMES
James Hofmann Hansen was born June 7, 1959.(49) Both of his names were family names that Russell and Ramona liked. It was Russell and Ramona's fourth boy and sixth child. He was born at 12:45 a.m. and weighed 5 lb.. and 13 oz. He was "a cute little boy with red hair." Ramona had been in pain for two months before James was born. Two days before he was born Russell took Ramona to the hospital. She had very severe pains and stayed the night but did not deliver. Ramona then went back home. They were both scared because their friends the week before had had the same thing happen and their baby was born dead. The night of June 6 Ramona felt ready to go back to the hospital and so at 9:00 they went. Russell wrote "she went through more than I believe I ever could."
THE FAMILY
In November 1960, Ramona was thirty-one and Russell thirty-three. Russell's hair was starting to get a little gray and Ramona had found a few gray hairs. Pennie was in fifth grade and doing well. Grant was in fourth grade and worked hard; he did well. Mark was in second grade and was in the second reading group, and he really wanted to be in the first group (he later did get in it). Gayle helped at home and played with the neighbor girl, Diane Hanson. Russell felt that James would become a mountain climber the way he climbed on everything; at this time James was one.
For Christmas 1960, Pennie received a Timex wristwatch and a lot of records (Russell had fixed up an old record player for her). Grant received a Morse code set, games, a scrapbook, and a space satellite (which Russell broke the first day). Mark got an airplane, puppets, a scrapbook, and a shirt. Tom got a scrapbook, an airplane, a shirt, a saw, and hammer. Gayle received an ironing board, a doll (named Bonnie Hansen), a pajama holder, and a clown. James got a horse, blocks, and some more toys.
POLITICS
Russell had a political career. Russell didn't feel the people on the Republican ticket were "sympathetic toward education," so he decided to file for candidacy. Russell declared his candidacy for the State Legislature District #2, as a Republican, on July 10, 1962. The declaration cost $5.00, when phone numbers were now 5 digits.(50) Russell was told by many people that his incumbent would win, he had already been in for over two terms. Russell's qualifications for being elected were service in the county and state delegates from the state Republican convention, and being on the board for the Orem City Coordinating Council. He stood for "strong state and local government." His children helped pass out pamphlets which read "Your vote can open the door to better government, better education, better employment." He spoke at about thirty meetings. The day after elections he was listening to the radio during recess and found that he had won. He about fell off his chair from astonishment.(51)
The Democrats had had control of the Senate and the Utah House during the previous session. With the new elections the Republicans were ahead in the Senate 13-12 and in the House 33-31. The first day the legislature convened was January 15, 1963. While in office he served as vice-chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee, and was a member of the Public Safety, Education, and Military Affairs Committees.(52)The children were also able to go and watch their dad in a session of the legislature. The thing that Mark liked the most was that there was a room that had a pop dispenser, and he could go and get all the free pop he wanted.(53)
During the summer of 1961 the whole family went on a vacation back east. Before school had gotten out they bought a new car, a 1961 Ford, which they used on the trip. They went to see Ramona's parents, Washington D.C., New York, and Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania they visited Ramona's sister Vera, and her husband Fred Phillips. At that time Russell went to the National Education Association convention in Atlantic City.
The summer of 1962, Russell tore down the old Scera swimming pool. Grant, Mark, and Tom helped him the entire summer. They dismantled the whole thing and moved it. It was hard work! Esther, Russell's sister, used some of it for a room on her and her husband's cabin. Ruth, his other sister, took most of the material for a future cabin she and her husband were planning to build. Russell put a lot of the bricks in his basement. He felt it would help him finish his basement, patio shelter, and fence in the back yard. Sometimes Russell got tired of the huge pile of red cinder block bricks. So, he would have the boys move them. It got to be a joke in the family that whenever Russell saw the boys didn't have something to do he would have them move the bricks.(54) Also, that summer the Hansens bought a new "carry-all truck." The family took a trip to Silver Lake Flats where they camped for three days. The children played with the stream that was near by, changing it's course and then putting it back again.(55)
ALAN
Russell and Ramona's last child was born November 8, 1964. They named him Alan Drew Hansen. They wanted to name him Andrew, because they liked the name, but were afraid people would call him Andy. Ramona had been having pains for a few days before the delivery and had gone to the hospital the morning of the seventh. She was sent back home. She went back the eighth and Alan was born. As soon as Russell found out that their new son was just fine he had to rush off to the church for some meetings. He was able to visit with Ramona later that night.(56)
RUSSELL'S FEELINGS ABOUT HIS FAMILY (taken from his journal)
Ramona was very proud of her family and worked very hard. She was starting to get a few gray hairs in 1965, when she was 36, and it bothered her a bit. Ramona sang in the choir for stake conference and it sounded beautiful. Ramona enjoyed doing genealogy work and went to the genealogy library once a month. It was a joke with Ramona and Russell that she would find out things about the ward through her home teachers and not her husband, who was the bishop.
Pennie at fourteen years: Russell called Pennie "Sue". She was attractive and well dressed. She didn't like to make her bed or iron clothes. She enjoyed playing with her brother Alan and taking care of him. She liked to clean the house except for the dishes and loved to buy new clothes. She also loved practicing the clarinet and could the piano well. She liked to wear shorts, even if they were longer than the other girls. She spent her money as soon as she got it and wanted her father to but her a new ski outfit. She loved new "fad" records, the Beatles and the Beach Boys. She had an "8 transistor radio" but would rather play her dad's "12 transistor radio." She loved her dad to take her to the drive-in for a treat. She was a hundred percenter, which meant that she had gone to every Sunday School, Sacrament, and M.I.A. meeting (this was during 1964). She cooked everyone supper when Russell and Ramona went to the temple. "When she turns on the charm her dad melts and puts on a big front but always gives in after what seems to be a good front".
Grant at thirteen years: Grant liked sports. He was almost completely deaf in one ear but then sometimes he would hear and not respond. There was a standard joke in the house that a father called his boy three times and the boy wouldn't answer. The father would get upset and the boy would say that he hadn't heard him until the third time. He was a good actor, and a good leader. In fact, he was the Senior patrol leader in troop 426. He was a good looking boy. He tried to live right and always do what was expected of him. He was a good worker. He was a good hiker and a "very good artist." "He is very good at math, but can't figure out how to make his bed in the mornings." He was a hundred percenter in the year 1964. The year before that he had only missed one meeting at church, because he was too sick.
Mark at thirteen years: Mark was a sensitive child. Mark was only 11 months when Tom came and so he did not get as much loving as he should have. He loved to play sports, though he wasn't very big. He had " a lot of drive and is a real competitor." He played to win. He was intelligent and did well at school. He loved to play basketball, football, and track. He was a star scout and Russell believed he would be an eagle scout before long. He hated to have people mad at him. When Russell and he would drive together he would sit next to him and Russell would put his arm around him. He was a hundred percenter in 1965. He took pride in the way he dressed and liked to have his hair cut perfect (not too short). "He would rather play basketball than do his homework." If he could have his wish come true he would live on a ranch with "a dog running along side of his horse and a gun hooked on his saddle." He was a real fisherman and could fly fish just about as well as Russell could. He enjoyed camping and hiking, and was strong for his size, so he could hike with a big backpack.(57)
Tom at fourteen years: Tom did well in "most every subject". He loved to build things with his hands. He was always building new things and left Russell's tools out. Russell felt that Tom had a good future in inventing things. Tom was quiet. He only needed three more merit badges to get his eagle badge. He usually got the best grades, at school, out of the whole family. He was bigger that Grant and Mark. He would make things for Christmas in his shop class. Some of them were a wastepaper basket, a fishing box, and a matchholder. Tom was usually a sweet boy, but if kids teased him he could hold his place. One time his older siblings were teasing him. Russell heard a cry for help and found Tom with a "chair resting on his shoulder" cornering three of his older siblings.
Gayle at nineteen years: Gayle went to Utah Valley Trade Tech. and was studying to be a secretary (which she later became). She studied hard and did well. She received one of only three 100% given in a short hand test. She could drive a car "very well" and liked to ski. She would go skiing, "flying", and hunting with her dad. Russell wrote "It will be hard to have some young man come and in and swoop her away as his wife". She always kept her room very neat.
James at sixteen years: When James was twelve he had read more than his dad had in his entire lifetime. He would read "extensively-usually three of four books a week". He could play the piano very well and would practice often. He was popular with the kids his age and always had friends around him. He worked for Tour West and could run all the rapids. He liked drama, sports, and music while in school. He figured out how to get in eight periods a day, instead of the six that was offered. He was the disk jockey for the Orem High Radio Station and would work there from 6:00 to 7:15 in the morning. He was president of the class in his seminary during the year 1974-75. He enjoyed listening to music and bought many records. He was saving money in a bank account for his mission. Russell wrote "He is very ambitious to say the least".(58)
Alan at twelve years: Alan was "very sweet and wants to please". He was in the fifth grade in the Cascade school. He always wanted to do what was right and help others. He was very fair and wanted others to be the same way. He kept his room very neat. One time on the way to Montana to see Pennie, Alan was allowed to fly the plane. Usually Russell had to correct his course every two to three minutes, but not this time. Since Alan couldn't see over the instrument panel very well, to see outside, he used the auto gyro to steer the plane. Russell was amazed. In 1975 Alan, Gayle, and Russell went deer hunting together. Since they couldn't find any deer, Russell decided to have target practice. The target was as big as a dollar mark. Alan shot at fifty yards away, his first time to shoot his dad's rifle, and hit the target right on.
INVESTMENTS
In the fall of 1966 Russell invested $3,000.00 in oil. The first well in Wyoming wasn't very successful, but with the second well in Montana, they hit oil and had about 65 barrels a day. They also had three more wells in Montana, one producing 16 barrels a day. Russell had 1.8% interest in one company and .1% in another. By February of 1970 his stock was worth $30,800.00. He also owned Western American Stock and that was worth $180.00. Another adventure of Russell's was passing the ham radio test. The test was the amateur F.C.C. radio transmitter, general class, test. He had a transmitter and receiver in his basement that operated on about 120 watts.(59) Russell also flew and had had a license ever since he was sixteen.
VACATION
On spring break in 1967 Russell took Pennie, March West (Pennie's friend), Grant, Mark, and Tom to the Uintahs. They went out to hike and explore. The next year when school ended the family headed south. They took with them an old "box trailer" that Russell and his father had made. Alan called it "the box". They went to Las Vegas and then to California. They went to Disneyland and the beach. They then went headed back to Utah and went to the Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon, and Bryce Canyon. They then headed home. During July of 1967 the family enjoyed staying at Strawberry reseivoir. They would come home for church meetings and Sundays during the week. They fished, ate, and relaxed.
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
For many years they got their Christmas tree from the school. Since they did this they did not get their tree until a week before Christmas. Every Christmas Eve the Hansens ate a nice dinner. They listened to "Journey to Bethany", the first part where it talked of the birth of the Savior.(60) They each opened a present that night. That night they pushed their beds together. The next morning everyone lined up from the youngest to the oldest. They would go into the room where all the presents were and Russell was there to take pictures.(61)
SCHOOL YEARS
In the school year of 1967 Alan was the only one at home. James and Gayle went to Cascade, Mark and Tom went to Orem Jr. High, and Pennie and Grant went to Orem High School. Pennie was a senior that year. That year, Grant was wrestling on the varsity team. He was first in region four. Region four consisted of Payson, Spanish Fork, Springville, Carbon, B.Y. High, Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, Lehi, and American Fork. He was able to go to state but lost. He and Mark wanted weight lifting equipment for their birthdays. The next year Pennie went to the College of Southern Utah, at Cedar City. Grant was on the football team and they won the class A state football championship. Grant and Mark wrestled on the varsity team for Orem High. Tom was on the Orem Jr. High straight "A" honor roll. Gayle was in school and was "real sweet and cute". James was also in school and was very "sharp" and liked to read; he also enjoyed playing sports. Alan was a "goer". Russell said he would probably be a president of something.(62)
The school year of 1970-71 Mark was on the first team on Orem's football team. He played split end and his team was first in the region. He was able to get a touchdown almost every game. In June of 1970 Grant went on a mission to the Japan East mission. He went to Hawaii for two months, in a language school, and then went to Japan. Pennie went to fall semester in 1970 and then went to Salt Lake and worked as a legal secretary.
TOUR WEST
Russell joined the River Guides Association in February 1969, the same year that Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.(63) He had been going river running for quite awhile before that. In August of 1969 Tour West came to be. This was a joint venture by Russell Hansen, and Eli Gourdin (five months later Frank Stratton bought 1/3 of the business for $67,000.00). It was a river running company and their maiden voyage was that September. They had 17 people on the trip and went down the Grand Canyon. By February the company was worth $81,500.00. They took trips down the Colorado River, through the Grand Canyon, Cataract Canyon, and on the Salmon River, in Idaho. The summer of 1970 they had about 250 passengers go down the river. They grossed about $25,000.00 their first year. In 1974 they grossed $800,000.00, this included the travel agency they started in 1974. In 1975 they had nine different tours. Russell and Frank Stratton bought Eli Gourdin out and so they both owned half of the business. Ramona worked at Tour West on and off for five years. She worked as a secretary. Gayle also worked as a secretary full time for five years.(64)
SPANISH FORK
The Hansen Family moved to 845 East 8800 South Spanish Fork, Utah in May 1979. They lived out in the country, with the B.Y.U. dairy farm right across from them. When the wind blew they could smell the cows perfectly. Russell had some animals there, sheep and rabbits. The sheep would wake them up in the mornings, bleating for their food. They also had an orchard there: apples, plums, peaches and apricots. Since Alan was the only one home at that time he got to help take care of the orchard and animals. Russell would tell him "Hustle for Russell."(65)
GROWN UP
Pennie married Leslie Bruce Thomas on March 22, 1970. They had two children Jayson Bruce Thomas, born on February 6, 1972. Their second son was born on December 1, 1973. He was named Ryan Russell Thomas. Pennie and "Bruce" later divorced. Pennie married Lee Allen Christensen on June 14, 1986 at Polson, Montana.
When Grant got off his mission he went to B.Y.U. and met his wife, who had just moved into his family's ward. Grant was married to Cathy Jene Madsen on March 16,1973. They had seven children: Matthew Grant, born on June 1, 1974; Melissa, born December 7, 1975; Emily, born November 8, 1977; Ashli, born October 4, 1980; Nathan Bradley, born December 31, 1981; Derek Russell, born December 5, 1985; and Landon Thomas, born May 19, 1990. Grant received his master's in Economic Geography.
Mark went on a mission to the Japan Central mission in 1972. In 1974 he returned home and went to B.Y.U. He met Satu Helena Kariniemi and married her on May 28, 1975. They had six children. Kirsti Helena, born on April 26, 1976; Jorma Ossian, born August 14, 1977; Seth Aleksanteri, May 6, 1980; Paivi Ramona, born on March 8, 1982; Suvi Marjatta, October 15, 1984; and Kai Kariniemi, born on June 16, 1989.
Tom went on a mission to Australia in 1973. When he got back home, in 1975, he went to B.Y.U. He was married to Claudia Leeann Vance on October 28, 1977. They had three children: Kristina Marie, born on September 29, 1980; Russell Earl, born on March 30, 1989; and Michael Thomas, born November 17, 1994.
Gayle worked as a secretary for Tour West for five years. She then went back to school, Utah Technical College, and got her L.P.N. She then worked at Utah Valley Hospital. She was married to Jeffery Dean Tygesen on March 1, 1986. They had one child, Jeniece Danielle, born on October 8, 1986.
James went on a mission to New Zeland. He was married to Charole Ann Louder on April 2, 1982. They had five children. Meagan Marie, born on July 21, 1984; Talmage Russell, Natasha Nicole, and Victoria Lynn, born on December 18, 1988; and Conner James, born on October 23, 1991.
Alan went on a mission to Spain and when he returned, he went to B.Y.U. He married Mary Lyn Stuart on October 26, 1985. They had two children: Andrew Russell, born on May 13, 1989; and Christian James, born on May 20, 1991.
LATER YEARS
Russell and Ramona went on many vacations later in their years. They toured the Orient and then went to pick up Mark from his mission. They toured Alaska, went to South Africa for two weeks, and went to Hawaii several times. They went go to school board conventions, and when he was president, they went to Miami and Boston. They also went south of Guatemala and saw some of the sites down there. One time they went on a vacation with Alan, Pennie, Gordon and his wife Lela, and Ida and Valdemar Hansen. They all went to Acapulco and had a nice time being together. Most of their vacations were taken when they had the travel agency.
Russell old Tour West in 1981. He was scoutmaster in the Salem Sixth Ward and Ramona was president of the primary for the ward. Russell and Ramona had season tickets to the Brigham Young University basketball and football games. They enjoyed going to them for about twenty years. Russell was able to spend time with his brother, Gordon. He went on many fishing trips with him and his wife LeLa. He also spent time with his grandchildren. He was going to retire and instead started an auto parts store. He only did that for a couple of months and then had a heart attack and died on October 25, 1983. He died of acute myocardial infarction.(66) His death was a shock to everyone; he was only 56 years old.
After Russell's death, Ramona lived in their home in Spanish Fork for twelve years. During that time she was Salem Stake Relief Society president. She also did a lot of genealogy work. She went go to the Salt Lake Family History Library every Wednesday with a group of other people; they would take a bus. She also visited her sister, Vera, in Pennsylvania many times. She had children stay with her in between moving to a different house. She still helps take care of her family. Ramona decided to move. The place was too big for her and there was a lot of yard work. She moved in April of 1994 to 522 North 80 West Lindon, Utah, where she currently resides.
A LOOK
The Hansen family got along very well together. They would joke around together, play games, and have fun together. The boys ranged in size from five feet six and a half to six feet one inch. All the girls were five feet one inch.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Birth certificate of Edna Ramona Hansen from the state of South Carolina. Registration district #33A. Registration #54.
Birth certificate for Russell Herman Hansen from the state of Utah. Health file #1311.
Certificates of Completion from the Security Life and Accident Company. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
Certification of release from the Church of Jesusu Christ of Latter-Day Saints, for being in the stake mission presidency, February 3, 1963. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints census of 1955. Under the name Hansen, Russell H. Microfilm #471498.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints census of 1960. Under the name Hansen, Russell H. Microfilm #471498.
Death certificate for Russell Herman Hansen from the state of Utah, #30375. Local file #25-890.
Distributor's Contract for the Aluminum Cooking Utensil Company on May 17, 1952. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
Five day fishing license for Russell Hansen in the state of Wyoming in the county of Suhlette. Invoice # 10490 on July 13, 1951. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
Linton, Calvin D., and Walter A. Payne. American Headlines Year by Year. New York: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1985.
Marriage certificate of Edna Ramona Rainwater and Russell Herman Hansen #14817, Salt Lake County, Utah. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
Hansen, Alan. Oral History Tape. Interview by Kirsti Hansen. Lindon, Utah: November 30, 1995. Tape in possession of Kirsti Hansen.
Hansen, Grant. Oral History Tape. Interview by Kirsti Hansen. Lindon, Utah: November 30, 1995. Tape in possession of Kirsti Hansen.
Hansen, James. Oral History Tape. Interview by Kirsti Hansen. Lindon, Utah: November 30, 1995. Tape in possession of Kirsti Hansen.
Hansen, Mark. Oral History Transcript. Interview by Kirsti Hansen. Salem, Utah: November 18, 1995. Transcript in possession of Kirsti Hansen.
Hansen, Ramona. Oral History Tape. Interview by Kirsti Hansen. Lindon, Utah: November 20, 1995. Interview in possession of Kirsti Hansen.
Orem Bicentennial History Committee. It Happened in Orem. Orem: Orem City, 1978. "Orem City Directory," Polk's Provo(Utah County, Utah) City Directory, 1953 ed.
Poll, Richard D. Utah's History. Provo: B.Y.U. Press, 1978.
Receipt of Declaration invoice #69801. From the Utah County Clerk's office in Provo, Utah. Also Declaration of Candidacy of Russell H. Hansen. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
Receipt of marriage license invoice #20437. From the Utah County Clerk's office in Provo, Utah. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
Russell H. Hansen, Journal (1949-1962).
Russell H. Hansen, Journal (1964-79).
Security Life and Accident Company Who's Who, June 7-13, 1951., June 14-20, 1951. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
"Sharon Ward," Orem-Geneva Times, June 30, 1949.
Wear-Ever News Vol. 51, No. 29.
1. Birth certificate of Edna Ramona Hansen from the state of South Carolina. Registration district #33A. Registration #54. Copy in the possession of Ramona Hansen.
2. Russell H. Hansen, Journal (1949-1962) 151-59. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
4. "Sharon Ward," Orem-Geneva Times June 30, 1949.
5. Birth certificate for Russell Herman Hansen from the state of Utah. Health file #1311. Copy in possession of Ramona Hansen.
6. Edna Ramona Rainwater, Birth certificate.
7. Marriage certificate of Edna Ramona Rainwater and Russell Herman Hansen #14817, Salt Lake County, Utah. Copy in possession of Ramona Hansen.
8. Ramona Hansen, Oral History Tape, Interview by Kirsti Hansen, Lindon, Utah, November 20, 1995, tape in possession of Kirsti Hansen.
9. Receipt of marriage license invoice #20437. From the Utah County Clerk's office in Provo, Utah. Copy in possession of Ramona Hansen.
10. Hansen, Journal, p.162-91.
11. "Orem City Directory," Polk's Provo(Utah County, Utah) City Directory, 1953 ed.
12. Orem Bicentennial History Committee, It Happened in Orem (Orem: Orem City, 1978) 59.
15. Hansen, Journal, p.163-164.
17. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints census record taken in 1955. Microfilm #471498 in the Brigham Young University Library.
18. Hansen, Journal, p. 164-72.
21. Certificates of Completion from the Securtiy Life and Accident Company. In scrapbook in possession of Ramona Hansen.
22. Security Life and Accident Company Who's Who, June 7-13, 1951., June 14-20, 1951.
23. Church census record, 1955.
24. Hansen, Journal, p.174-84.
25. Five day fishing license for Russell Hansen in the state of Wyoming in the county of Suhlette. Invoice # 10490 on July 13, 1951. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
28. Hansen, Journal, p. 197-201, 223.
31. Distributor's Contract for the Aluminum Cooking Utensil Company on May 17, 1952. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
32. Wear-Ever News Vol. 51, No. 29, p. 2.
33. Certification of release from the Church of Jesusu Christ of Latter-Day Saints, for being in the stake mission presidency, February 3, 1963. In possession of Ramona Hansen.
34. Hansen, Journal, p. 206-208.
35. Church census record, 1955.
37. Hansen, Journal, p. 213-21.
38. Calvin D. Linton and Walter A. Payne, American Headlines Year by Year (New York: Thoma Nelson Publishers, 1985) 381.
39. Hansen, Journal, p. 223-48.
42. Orem Bicentennial History Committee, p. 101-103.
43. Richard D. Poll, Utah's History (Provo: B.Y.U. Press, 1978) 592.
44. Hansen, Journal, p. 261-265.
45. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints census record taken in 1960. Microfilm #471498 in the Brigham Young University Library.
46. Hansen, Journal, p. 244-60.
47. "Orem City Directory," Polk's Provo(Utah County, Utah) City Directory, 1959 ed.
48. Mark Hansen, Oral History Transcript, Interview by Kirsti Hansen, Salem, Utah, November 18, 1995. Transcript in possession of Kirsti Hansen, p. 7.
50. Receipt of Declaration invoice #69801. From the Utah County Clerk's office in Provo, Utah. Also Declaration of Candidacy of Russell H. Hansen. In possession of Kirsti Hansen.
51. Hansen, Journal, p. 287-90.
53. Mark Hansen, Oral history, p. 2.
54. Ibid., Oral history, p. 5.
55. Hansen, Journal, p. 286-290.
56. Russell H. Hansen, Journal (1964-79) 2-3.
60. James Hansen, Oral History Tape Interview, Interview by Kirsti Hansen, Lindon, Utah, November 30, 1995, tape in Kirsti Hansen's possession.
61. Grant Hansen, Oral History Interview, Interview by Kirsti Hansen, Lindon, Utah, November 30, 1995, tape in Kirsti Hansen's possession.
62. Hansen, Journal, p. 12-13, 19-20.
64. Hansen, Journal, p. 20-22, 25-26.
65. Alan Hansen, Oral History Tape, Interview by Kirsti Hansen, Lindon, Utah, November 30, 1995, tape in Kirsti Hansen's possession.
66. Certificate of death of Russell Herman Hansen from the state of Utah, #30375. Local file #25-890. In possession of Ramona Hansen.