James Earl Hansen

December 19, 1944 – October 31, 2026

James Earl Hansen, 81, passed away on October 31, 2026. He was born December 19, 1944, in Ontario, Oregon, to Earl Morgan Hansen and Verna Mitchell Hansen. Jim was the third of eleven children.

Jim attended Yuba State Junior College, where he met Shirley Doering. Jim and Shirley were married on July 19, 1968, in the Los Angeles California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where they were sealed for time and all eternity. They shared their lives together until Shirley’s passing. Jim later continued his education and earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from California State University, Chico.

Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army and National Guard and was a Vietnam veteran. His military service remained an important part of his life.

Music was one of Jim’s great loves. He was blessed with a beautiful tenor voice and perfect pitch and enjoyed sharing his musical talents throughout his life. He also loved to write and had a lifelong appreciation for words, ideas, and storytelling.

Jim was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many Church callings throughout his life.

He is survived by his children, Linda Varia (Elisabeth), Dan (Christy), and Pete (Ranee); 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and members of his extended family.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley; his son, Jonathan; his daughter, Tabitha; his parents, Earl and Verna Hansen; and three of his siblings.

Inurnment with military honors will take place on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at Camp Williams Veterans Cemetery in Bluffdale, Utah.

Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 590 North 900 West, Orem, Utah. A luncheon will be held following the service. All who wish to remember and honor Jim are welcome to attend.

The Hansen family would like to express its sincere appreciation to the doctors, nurses, caregivers, and staff of the William E. Christoffersen Salt Lake Veterans Home for the care, kindness, and support they provided to Jim and his family during the past several years.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Jim’s memory to consider making a donation to the William E. Christoffersen Salt Lake Veterans Home or to a dementia research organization.