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:

Look at what we caught! |
Fixing Lunch |
Fishing with Granddaughter |
On the Salmon River |
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Jennie in her blue dress | ||
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Jennie at age 3 and her sister | ||
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Jennie with her father and sister. |
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