John Rulon Hansen

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather John Rulon Hansen, Jr. peacefully passed away at 92 years of age in Alpine, Utah, Saturday, July 2, 2022.  

John Rulon Hansen, Jr. was born to John Rulon Hansen and Flora Barton Hansen in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 26, 1930.  In 1931, his family moved to a family farm in Preston, Idaho.  John loved his years growing up on the farm and spoke about them his entire life.  At age 16 the family moved to Rosemead, California.  The introduction of the beach and Mexican food had a significant influence on his life.  He graduated with an Associate degree from Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California in 1951.  John won a regional speech contest and received a scholarship to attend BYU.  During a semester at BYU John purchased a quarter of beef and side of pork and put them in a freezer locker and then cooked three meals a day for eleven students in his basement apartment to help support himself.  Later John enjoyed overseeing church and community events having to do with serving food.  He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in Speech with minors in Philosophy and English.  He received his Juris Doctorate from the UCLA Law School in 1956.  He married Jeanine Done in 1952 and they are the parents of six children.  John and Jeanine built a home in Hidden Hills, California where John was voted in as Mayor of the city.  In 1968 the family moved to Boise, Idaho, where he continued his law practice and created Poco a Poco Mexican restaurant as a family adventure.  It was in Boise that John and his family learned to snow ski and water ski.  The family also spent time at their Ketchum, Idaho home, skiing in Sun Valley.  This ski tradition continues among family even today.  Purchasing a farm outside of Boise reminded him of his Preston days.  He obtained his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying small aircraft.  John and Jeanine divorced, and he later married Sondra Dahl in 1992 and they resided in Eagle, Idaho.  

As a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints John’s strong testimony was continuously evident throughout his life.  John loved his church service which included serving as a Bishop three times and other callings involving scouting, and teaching Seminary and Institute.  John said “in the Gospel the most important calling … is the role of Father.  It is a timeless calling forever.”  One of his most blessed experiences was serving a mission with his wife Sondra in Africa as an attorney for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

After returning from their mission, John and Sondra built a lovely home on a few acres in his favorite place, Eden, Utah, where he taught many of his grandchildren how to drive his beloved “John Deere tractor”.  Eventually John and Sondra moved to Bountiful and then Alpine.  

John was known for his famous pancake breakfasts, and his love of skiing and appreciation for the beauties of nature.  He was the first in his family off the farm to get a college education.  As an attorney, John taught his family to always seek to understand the viewpoints of other people.  He helped others to understand they could achieve their dreams.  John loved life, loved serving others, and usually had a laugh to share.  He was a true role model for graciousness, kindness, consideration, and thoughtfulness.  “Remember who you are” was often told to his children.  

Survivors include wife Sandra Dahl, 3 stepchildren, Rachel Dahl, Mandy Dahl, and Dan Dahl (Shoko); children Heidi Michaelis (Blaine), Melanie Boyer (Pat), John Hansen (Kathie), Diane Decker (Brian), Jeanine Bentz (Scott), and Bent Hansen (Joy); 36 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and his sister Carolyn Partridge.  He was preceded in death by his parents John Rulon Hansen and Flora Barton Hansen, and brother Dennis Hansen.  

Private viewing and Memory Sharing July 15, 2022.  Interment Logan City Cemetery July 15,