Bonnie Hansen Stephens, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and former Director of the Utah Arts Council, died Tuesday at her home in Holladay. She was eighty.
The cause was complications of a stroke, and declining health with old age. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.
Bonnie, the daughter of Joseph and Sena Hansen, was born February 12, 1931 at their home in Salt Lake City. Both parents were musicians, Sena a trained pianist and Joseph an amateur opera singer, which engrained a love and appreciation for the arts in her life.
"I played piano and violin and sang, but none of it very well," said Bonnie "though my sisters and I had a vocal trio that sang around the valley."
Bonnie enjoyed a wonderful childhood and long lasting relationships with siblings James Hansen (former Utah congressmen), Carol Stewart, Betty Armstrong, and Dawn Reeve.
On September 4, 1952, Bonnie married Dean Stephens in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity. Dean and Bonnie built a spectacular life together living the American Dream, while raising their three children.
They began their marriage under humble circumstances, but that was only temporary. Together they built a successful business, ran a family cattle ranch, and touched countless lives throughout the business and art community.
Bonnie raised three wonderful children and helped with nieces, nephews, and grandkids. When Bonnie's sister Betty passed away unexpectedly at a young age, Bonnie stepped in to be the surrogate mother and grandmother to her nieces Beth Jensen and Margaret Armstrong and their children. She enjoyed teaching them the fine arts and how to shop.
Bonnie also enjoyed the outdoors snow skiing and playing tennis with friends and driving around the TL Bar Ranch with Dean.
After raising her children, Bonnie went back to work outside the home. She began by working on political campaigns for her brother Congressmen Jim Hansen, and also for Congressmen David Monson. Bonnie also chaired the Utah campaign office for George H. W. Bush. After politics Bonnie focused on her passion, the arts.
Bonnie worked as a gallery consultant at the Gable House Gallery, before becoming the Managing Director of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition. Then from 1991 to 2002 she served as the Director of the Utah Arts Council.
Her time with the Utah Arts Council was highlighted by the renovation of the Chase Home in Liberty Park, the creation of the Museum of Utah Folk Art, and more importantly the love and respect of her staff and those she worked with.
"Bonnie has shown visionary leadership in finding common ground between the arts, business and politics. She's able to see issues from different perspectives and express herself clearly and forcefully. She's a powerful advocate for arts in the state," stated local artist Frank McEntire.
Her time spent with the Arts Council shows only a sliver of her dedication to Utah Art. Dean and Bonnie were avid art collectors, focusing mainly on Utah and Cowboy Art.
Not only did she collect art, but Bonnie actively supported local artists. She also served as a Board Member on the Museum of Utah Art & History. Bonnie may have summed up her contribution best.
"I just want to reach the movers and shakers and help them discover a great truth: the arts matter."
Bonnie lived life with an infectious zeal that brought the best out in others. She will be remembered for her love, devotion, and grace.
In addition to her husband Dean, Bonnie is survived by their children Dan (Amber), David, and Jana (Dale), their grandchildren Tessa, Luke (Abby), Dylan, Tyler (MacKenzie), Alina, Madeleine, Joshua, and Nicholas, their great-grandchildren Dean and Maddux, brother Jim Hansen, sister Dawn Reeve, nieces Beth (Jeff) Jensen and Margaret Armstrong (Dan Craig), and nephew John Armstrong.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Holladay Twenty-Eighth Ward Chapel, 2625 East Milo Way, Holladay, Utah. Viewings will be held on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive (1495 East), East Millcreek, Utah, and also one hour prior to the services on Saturday morning.
Published in the Deseret News from November 10 to November 11, 2011.
The cause was complications of a stroke, and declining health with old age. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.
Bonnie, the daughter of Joseph and Sena Hansen, was born February 12, 1931 at their home in Salt Lake City. Both parents were musicians, Sena a trained pianist and Joseph an amateur opera singer, which engrained a love and appreciation for the arts in her life.
"I played piano and violin and sang, but none of it very well," said Bonnie "though my sisters and I had a vocal trio that sang around the valley."
Bonnie enjoyed a wonderful childhood and long lasting relationships with siblings James Hansen (former Utah congressmen), Carol Stewart, Betty Armstrong, and Dawn Reeve.
On September 4, 1952, Bonnie married Dean Stephens in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity. Dean and Bonnie built a spectacular life together living the American Dream, while raising their three children.
They began their marriage under humble circumstances, but that was only temporary. Together they built a successful business, ran a family cattle ranch, and touched countless lives throughout the business and art community.
Bonnie raised three wonderful children and helped with nieces, nephews, and grandkids. When Bonnie's sister Betty passed away unexpectedly at a young age, Bonnie stepped in to be the surrogate mother and grandmother to her nieces Beth Jensen and Margaret Armstrong and their children. She enjoyed teaching them the fine arts and how to shop.
Bonnie also enjoyed the outdoors snow skiing and playing tennis with friends and driving around the TL Bar Ranch with Dean.
After raising her children, Bonnie went back to work outside the home. She began by working on political campaigns for her brother Congressmen Jim Hansen, and also for Congressmen David Monson. Bonnie also chaired the Utah campaign office for George H. W. Bush. After politics Bonnie focused on her passion, the arts.
Bonnie worked as a gallery consultant at the Gable House Gallery, before becoming the Managing Director of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition. Then from 1991 to 2002 she served as the Director of the Utah Arts Council.
Her time with the Utah Arts Council was highlighted by the renovation of the Chase Home in Liberty Park, the creation of the Museum of Utah Folk Art, and more importantly the love and respect of her staff and those she worked with.
"Bonnie has shown visionary leadership in finding common ground between the arts, business and politics. She's able to see issues from different perspectives and express herself clearly and forcefully. She's a powerful advocate for arts in the state," stated local artist Frank McEntire.
Her time spent with the Arts Council shows only a sliver of her dedication to Utah Art. Dean and Bonnie were avid art collectors, focusing mainly on Utah and Cowboy Art.
Not only did she collect art, but Bonnie actively supported local artists. She also served as a Board Member on the Museum of Utah Art & History. Bonnie may have summed up her contribution best.
"I just want to reach the movers and shakers and help them discover a great truth: the arts matter."
Bonnie lived life with an infectious zeal that brought the best out in others. She will be remembered for her love, devotion, and grace.
In addition to her husband Dean, Bonnie is survived by their children Dan (Amber), David, and Jana (Dale), their grandchildren Tessa, Luke (Abby), Dylan, Tyler (MacKenzie), Alina, Madeleine, Joshua, and Nicholas, their great-grandchildren Dean and Maddux, brother Jim Hansen, sister Dawn Reeve, nieces Beth (Jeff) Jensen and Margaret Armstrong (Dan Craig), and nephew John Armstrong.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Holladay Twenty-Eighth Ward Chapel, 2625 East Milo Way, Holladay, Utah. Viewings will be held on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive (1495 East), East Millcreek, Utah, and also one hour prior to the services on Saturday morning.
Published in the Deseret News from November 10 to November 11, 2011.
Bonnie Hansen Stephens, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and former Director of the Utah Arts Council, died Tuesday at her home in Holladay. She was eighty.
The cause was complications of a stroke, and declining health with old age. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.
Bonnie, the daughter of Joseph and Sena Hansen, was born February 12, 1931 at their home in Salt Lake City. Both parents were musicians, Sena a trained pianist and Joseph an amateur opera singer, which engrained a love and appreciation for the arts in her life.
"I played piano and violin and sang, but none of it very well," said Bonnie "though my sisters and I had a vocal trio that sang around the valley."
Bonnie enjoyed a wonderful childhood and long lasting relationships with siblings James Hansen (former Utah congressmen), Carol Stewart, Betty Armstrong, and Dawn Reeve.
On September 4, 1952, Bonnie married Dean Stephens in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity. Dean and Bonnie built a spectacular life together living the American Dream, while raising their three children.
They began their marriage under humble circumstances, but that was only temporary. Together they built a successful business, ran a family cattle ranch, and touched countless lives throughout the business and art community.
Bonnie raised three wonderful children and helped with nieces, nephews, and grandkids. When Bonnie's sister Betty passed away unexpectedly at a young age, Bonnie stepped in to be the surrogate mother and grandmother to her nieces Beth Jensen and Margaret Armstrong and their children. She enjoyed teaching them the fine arts and how to shop.
Bonnie also enjoyed the outdoors snow skiing and playing tennis with friends and driving around the TL Bar Ranch with Dean.
After raising her children, Bonnie went back to work outside the home. She began by working on political campaigns for her brother Congressmen Jim Hansen, and also for Congressmen David Monson. Bonnie also chaired the Utah campaign office for George H. W. Bush. After politics Bonnie focused on her passion, the arts.
Bonnie worked as a gallery consultant at the Gable House Gallery, before becoming the Managing Director of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition. Then from 1991 to 2002 she served as the Director of the Utah Arts Council.
Her time with the Utah Arts Council was highlighted by the renovation of the Chase Home in Liberty Park, the creation of the Museum of Utah Folk Art, and more importantly the love and respect of her staff and those she worked with.
"Bonnie has shown visionary leadership in finding common ground between the arts, business and politics. She's able to see issues from different perspectives and express herself clearly and forcefully. She's a powerful advocate for arts in the state," stated local artist Frank McEntire.
Her time spent with the Arts Council shows only a sliver of her dedication to Utah Art. Dean and Bonnie were avid art collectors, focusing mainly on Utah and Cowboy Art.
Not only did she collect art, but Bonnie actively supported local artists. She also served as a Board Member on the Museum of Utah Art & History. Bonnie may have summed up her contribution best.
"I just want to reach the movers and shakers and help them discover a great truth: the arts matter."
Bonnie lived life with an infectious zeal that brought the best out in others. She will be remembered for her love, devotion, and grace.
In addition to her husband Dean, Bonnie is survived by their children Dan (Amber), David, and Jana (Dale), their grandchildren Tessa, Luke (Abby), Dylan, Tyler (MacKenzie), Alina, Madeleine, Joshua, and Nicholas, their great-grandchildren Dean and Maddux, brother Jim Hansen, sister Dawn Reeve, nieces Beth (Jeff) Jensen and Margaret Armstrong (Dan Craig), and nephew John Armstrong.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Holladay Twenty-Eighth Ward Chapel, 2625 East Milo Way, Holladay, Utah. Viewings will be held on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive (1495 East), East Millcreek, Utah, and also one hour prior to the services on Saturday morning.
Published in the Deseret News from November 10 to November 11, 2011.
The cause was complications of a stroke, and declining health with old age. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.
Bonnie, the daughter of Joseph and Sena Hansen, was born February 12, 1931 at their home in Salt Lake City. Both parents were musicians, Sena a trained pianist and Joseph an amateur opera singer, which engrained a love and appreciation for the arts in her life.
"I played piano and violin and sang, but none of it very well," said Bonnie "though my sisters and I had a vocal trio that sang around the valley."
Bonnie enjoyed a wonderful childhood and long lasting relationships with siblings James Hansen (former Utah congressmen), Carol Stewart, Betty Armstrong, and Dawn Reeve.
On September 4, 1952, Bonnie married Dean Stephens in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity. Dean and Bonnie built a spectacular life together living the American Dream, while raising their three children.
They began their marriage under humble circumstances, but that was only temporary. Together they built a successful business, ran a family cattle ranch, and touched countless lives throughout the business and art community.
Bonnie raised three wonderful children and helped with nieces, nephews, and grandkids. When Bonnie's sister Betty passed away unexpectedly at a young age, Bonnie stepped in to be the surrogate mother and grandmother to her nieces Beth Jensen and Margaret Armstrong and their children. She enjoyed teaching them the fine arts and how to shop.
Bonnie also enjoyed the outdoors snow skiing and playing tennis with friends and driving around the TL Bar Ranch with Dean.
After raising her children, Bonnie went back to work outside the home. She began by working on political campaigns for her brother Congressmen Jim Hansen, and also for Congressmen David Monson. Bonnie also chaired the Utah campaign office for George H. W. Bush. After politics Bonnie focused on her passion, the arts.
Bonnie worked as a gallery consultant at the Gable House Gallery, before becoming the Managing Director of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition. Then from 1991 to 2002 she served as the Director of the Utah Arts Council.
Her time with the Utah Arts Council was highlighted by the renovation of the Chase Home in Liberty Park, the creation of the Museum of Utah Folk Art, and more importantly the love and respect of her staff and those she worked with.
"Bonnie has shown visionary leadership in finding common ground between the arts, business and politics. She's able to see issues from different perspectives and express herself clearly and forcefully. She's a powerful advocate for arts in the state," stated local artist Frank McEntire.
Her time spent with the Arts Council shows only a sliver of her dedication to Utah Art. Dean and Bonnie were avid art collectors, focusing mainly on Utah and Cowboy Art.
Not only did she collect art, but Bonnie actively supported local artists. She also served as a Board Member on the Museum of Utah Art & History. Bonnie may have summed up her contribution best.
"I just want to reach the movers and shakers and help them discover a great truth: the arts matter."
Bonnie lived life with an infectious zeal that brought the best out in others. She will be remembered for her love, devotion, and grace.
In addition to her husband Dean, Bonnie is survived by their children Dan (Amber), David, and Jana (Dale), their grandchildren Tessa, Luke (Abby), Dylan, Tyler (MacKenzie), Alina, Madeleine, Joshua, and Nicholas, their great-grandchildren Dean and Maddux, brother Jim Hansen, sister Dawn Reeve, nieces Beth (Jeff) Jensen and Margaret Armstrong (Dan Craig), and nephew John Armstrong.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Holladay Twenty-Eighth Ward Chapel, 2625 East Milo Way, Holladay, Utah. Viewings will be held on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive (1495 East), East Millcreek, Utah, and also one hour prior to the services on Saturday morning.
Published in the Deseret News from November 10 to November 11, 2011.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
