Nancy Capener (Evans) Hansen—loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all—passed peacefully from life on May 27, 2024, after a brief stay at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Hospice Home in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Nancy is survived by her four children: Scott (wife Linda), Michael (wife Jeanne), Suzanne (partner Gordy), and Keith (wife Lynne); 15 of her 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy Hess; a brother, Paul Evans; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Chris; sisters Judith Stephenson and Susan Arnold; brother Jeffrey Jones; and grandson David Hansen.
Nancy was born prematurely on October 4, 1935, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the daughter of Phyllis Capener and Darhl E Evans. She weighed only three pounds and was not expected to survive, but she began early to defy expectations. Her first bassinet was a shoe box. She was lovingly raised in Salt Lake City by her mother and her stepfather, Keith W. Jones (who was always Daddy to her), with the love and support of her grandparents, E. T. and Leona (Silver) Capener. Nancy attended public schools in Salt Lake City, graduating from East High School in 1953. She also briefly attended the University of Utah.
On June 27, 1956, Nancy married Christen M. Hansen in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nancy and Chris celebrated 55 years of marriage before he passed away in 2011.
Their marriage began during Chris’ military service in Germany, followed by 3 years in Salt Lake City while Chris pursued a degree at the University of Utah. With graduation came a job, a move, and 17 years in Southern California and Arizona. Next came 28 years in Wisconsin, before a move to South Carolina in 2005. Along the way, Nancy and Chris developed a deep love of the Lord and found joy in serving His children. Everywhere she went, Nancy served and loved others, made and kept dear friends, and acted as a surrogate mother to young people she met. Two highlights of Nancy’s many years of church service include: being part of a stake Relief Society presidency in the 1980’s, and the life-changing experience of serving a stake mission alongside Chris in the early 1990’s in a small branch of the church in the inner city of Milwaukee. These were two of the many times when Nancy’s loving heart helped to strengthen the feeble knees, forge enduring relationships, and bless many lives.
After moving to South Carolina, Nancy became a passionate fan of University of South Carolina-Upstate athletic teams, and could frequently be seen in the stands at volleyball, basketball and softball games. In her final days, she was awarded the game ball by the Spartans’ women’s softball team after they won the Big South Conference championship.
Later in life, Nancy met siblings from her birth father’s side whom she had not previously known. These new relationships brought her great joy and peace.
Nancy set an example of unconditional love for her family and everyone who knew her. At the end of her life, she still counted among her dearest friends people she had met at every stop along her way, including some she had known for more than 65 years. Her legacy of love and friendship will outlive her in the lives of the many she touched.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 13th at 11:00 a.m. at the Centerville 1st Ward chapel, 160 South 300 East, Centerville, Utah, with visitation from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Farmington City Cemetery.
For those unable to attend, the service will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Facebook page and on Nancy’s obituary page on russonmortuary.com.
Nancy’s children would like to assemble a collection of favorite memories and photographs from the many people whose lives she touched. Please consider adding your stories and photos to that collection, either through the Guestbook on Nancy’s obituary page or by emailing them to rememberingmissnancy@gmail.com.
The family is grateful to all the medical personnel who cared for Nancy, particularly during her final illness. To the caregivers at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Hospice Home: your devoted care and attention brought peace and comfort to our mother and all of us during what otherwise would have been a most difficult time. You were truly exceptional!
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