Barbara Louise Sheehe Hanson

Mar 13, 1929 - Dec 3, 2014

Earths loss became Heavens gain when Barbara Louise Hanson passed away peacefully, December 3, 2014 at her home in Eden, Utah. She was greeted by her best friend, love of her life, Russell Courtney Hanson, with open arms, along with many lifelong friends. Barbara was born March 13, 1929 in South Bend, Indiana to Nilah and George Brian Sheehe.

Barbara commenced her career at an early age of 6 years of age in her Grandfather's grocery store in South Bend, Indiana. To this day Barbara always shared her fond memories of working in Grandpa's store. I am sure she touched every customer with her love, ability and willingness to always help others first even at such a young age.

Barbara stayed close to her roots and attended an "all-girls" college; Steven's College, South Bend, Indiana. After graduation Barbara traveled to the Philippine's to make "soda pop" with her Aunt Ermie and Uncle Sam at their factory. In 1951 she started a career as a stewardess with United Airlines based out of Chicago, Illinois. Barbara was sent to Cheyenne, Wyoming to train for her career and met her first husband, Johnny Johnson. Barbara and Johnny had two sons together, Brad and Brian; in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Barbara divorced from Johnny in 1968 and set out on a new path to raise two children as a single mother. Barbara resigned from United Airlines and started working with the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce as their "Welcome Wagon Director."

Barbara's new job was to meet and greet all new residences arriving to Cheyenne, Wyoming; give them all pertinent data and show them the beautiful landscape of Cheyenne and Wyoming. Barbara thrived at this job and even with a big workload of new residences to meet and greet; Barbara met with existing residences. Barbara did this to create the perfect neighborhood for new and existing residences to get to know each other better and to benefit from one another. It was not uncommon, due to being a single parent, for Barbara to take Brian along with her to her "Welcome Wagon" introductions and Brian would help handing out each item as Barbara gave her introduction and presentation. Brian remembers some of those 30 minute presentations, promised by his mother, lasted 2-3 hours; not at Barbara's choice but the new residences desire to want more information and fell in love with Barbara and her enthusiasm. To this day, Barbara has stayed in touch with many of her first acquaintance's in Cheyenne Wyoming, some 60 years later. Barbara interviewed for a second job to continue to support her children with many travels, sports and entertainment. She was awarded a job as Public Relations with the Holding's family hotel, Little America, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Earl and Carol Holding hired Barbara on the spot, gave her an office and said "get started." Barbara thrived with excellent work ethic and the desire to make Little America the best hotel conference location in the entire state of Wyoming; she succeeded. She has remained long term friends with the Holding family throughout the years and had unconditional respect for them.

In 1970 Barbara was reacquainted with the love of her life, Russell Courtney Hanson. Reacquainted, because Barbara saw this handsome, successful man, Russell Courtney Hanson when she was a stewardess and he was a Captain for United Airlines; some 19 years earlier. Barbara and Courtney married in 1972. Barbara, Courtney, Brad and Brian packed up their belongings and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area as Courtney was re-stationed there to become one of the first Captains for United Airlines to fly the Boeing 747. They enjoyed the California life for 20 years until Courtney introduced Barbara to the Beautiful "Ogden Valley," as Courtney was born and raised in Logan, Utah. They purchased a second residence in "Ogden Valley" in 1990 and built their dream home in 1994.

Barbara and Court had a love for flying and spent a majority of their time at the Ogden Airport. Barbara obtained her pilots license and Courtney purchased her a "Husky Airplane" to fly, maintain and have her own "Toy". Courtney passed away in 1999 and Barbara continued to fly her airplane and additional 10 years until her 80th birthday.

Barbara loved the outdoors and fell in love with Snow Basin Ski Resort where she became a fixture with the guests, employees and strangers who always became friends.

Barbara is survived by her brother, Brian Sheehe (Ohio); two sons, Brian J. Hanson (Heather), Eden, Utah and Brad J. Hanson (Linda), San Jose, CA. She has three Granddaughters', Courtney Hanson, Rileigh Hanson and Nicole Hanson.

Barbara touched so many lives, in so many different ways; was loved and respected by all immediately.

An unconditional thank you to Terri Porter, Barbara's personal assistant and caregiver. Terri never blinked an eye or said anything other than yes when Barbara asked. Terri had a successful Medical Assistant career prior to meeting Barbara; fell in love with her immediately and jumped at the opportunity. Barbara had so much respect for Terri in what she did at all times to keep her comfortable in her Eden home. Teri always greeted Barbara as "Good Morning Princess," and always received a beautiful smile in return. A big heartfelt thank you goes out to Envision Home Care and Hospice; especially Ryan and Rhoda. The love, care and true concern you gave her in the last days of her time with was outstanding and above all expectations.

Please join us to say goodbye to Barbara Hanson in a "Celebration of Life Ceremony" to be held Monday, December 15, 2014 at the Snow Basin Resort, Earl's Lodge from 6:30 to 7:30. Sharing memories of Barbara will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 pm prior. Please RSVP to bjhhanson@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers please donate to Snow Basin Adaptive Sports Education Foundation (SASEF); in Barbara Hanson's name.

Source: FindAGrave.com

11/28/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/273609423/barbara-louise-hanson