Bonita Hanson

Emily Bonita Crooks Hanson, age 94, of Shelley, Idaho passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born to Clifford John Crooks and Emily Vanell Millar in Harlem, Montana on April 4, 1929, the fourth of seven children. As a child, her family moved to Shelley, Idaho, where Bonita attended Shelley area schools and met her sweetheart, Louis Calvert Hanson. After her graduation from high school and Louis’ service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, they were married on November 12, 1946 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They made their home in Shelley where they lived until 1965 when they moved to Rexburg, Idaho. In 1972, they returned to their Shelley home, where she has since resided. 

Being a mother and homemaker was Bonita’s full-time occupation. Her pride and joy were her 10 children. She enjoyed sewing, reading, studying healthy living, harvesting their large, organic garden, and beautifying her home. After Louis’ retirement, he and Bonita owned and operated Bonita’s Rubber Stamps in Shelley for many years and she enjoyed visiting with their customers.

Bonita was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and it was important to her to continually learn about the gospel and develop her relationship with God. She lived what she preached about loving one another. 

Bonita is survived by her children: Carl (Bonnie) Hanson of Rupert, Idaho; Vanell (Ronnie) Stoddard of West Jordan, Utah; Rosemary (Thomas) Brown and Charles (Kristy) Hanson, both of Chester, Idaho; Nancy Hanson of Salt Lake City, Utah; Emily (Lorin) Glauser of South Jordan, Utah; Barbara (Garren) Durtschi of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Clifford Hanson of Shelley, Idaho; daughter-in-law Merry Hanson Jaynes of Jerome, Idaho; 37 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and siblings Sherwin Crooks and Geniel Fife. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, her daughter Marie, her son Milan, her great-granddaughter Alexa Hanson, her parents, and siblings Duane, Virginia, Claxton, and Kent.   

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 18, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Shelley LDS Stake Center (325 E. Locust). The family will visit with friends Friday 11:30 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home.

Those who would like to participate in the funeral service remotely are invited to view the service on a live broadcast at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK5jIgUtKWSDaaf_ktuV3UA/videos

The family would like to thank Mele Sekona and associates of One of Ours, a private care company in Sandy, Utah, for their compassionate and loving care.

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