Bio

I was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Jed and Mary Smith.  We lived in many farming and ranching communities in Idaho and Montana. My family moved more than 20 times as I grew up.  As a youth, I associated home with family and Mama’s cake tin more than any particular house.  Born the fifth of eight children, I grew up with a ready supply of playmates who are still among my closest friends.  I married Boyd Hansen and we became the parents of five children of our own and three foster children.  We’ve made our home in Utah since our marriage.

I graduated from Ricks College in Idaho, then continued my education at Westminster College in Utah after my oldest child was married and my youngest was in high school.  I have been a receptionist, a model, a Utah House page, freelance magazine writer, newspaper reporter, editor, librarian, mother and grandmother.

Numerous first and second place writing awards from the Utah and National Federation of Press Women including the 1978 Second place national award for Page Editing were highlights of my journalism years.  I was the 1997 third place winner of the URWA Heart of the West Writers Contest. In 2008 I received the Bronze Trumpet Award from my publisher, Covenant Communications, and in March of 2008 I was honored by the LDStorymakers at their Whitney Gala with the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award.

I have been active in community affairs. In addition to numerous responsibilities in the LDS church, I served a term on the Kearns Town Council, and two terms on the Salt Palace Advisory Board, and was a delegate to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.

All of our children are now married and have so far provided us with ten grandchildren, eight grandsons and two granddaughters. 

I was born during the war and my parents didn’t have a camera, so this as close as I come to having a baby picture:

College Days - Roommates

Theater Touring with Charley’s Aunt, modeling for Oliver Parson’s “Jennie”:

More of the Story- 

My Wedding Day, My mother and children (About 20 years ago) , My Grandchildren:

Jennie's 2007 Summer vacation at the May Family Ranch in Clayton, Idaho