Hanna Okolowitz

Hanna Okolowitz passed away unexpectedly during hip surgery at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, Utah on May 6, 2025, at the age of 92, just 20 days shy of her 93rd birthday.
Born on May 27, 1932, to Paul Runschke and Pauline (Sperlich) Runschke in Peisterwitz, Prussia, Hanna's early years were marked by the hardships of World War II. She and her family fled from approaching Russian forces, struggling daily for food, safety, and shelter. In the aftermath of war, she worked wherever possible, often for wages insufficient for basic necessities.
While recovering from an illness at her mother's home, Hanna met Heinz Okolowitz. They married on October 20, 1951, in Stuttgart, Germany, when she was 19 years old. Seeking better opportunities, Hanna immigrated to the United States on November 15, 1954, arriving at Hoboken, New York, with her husband, mother, and two children. After a brief stay with relatives in South Dakota, the family relocated to California where they found improved prospects for making a living.
In California, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found the family. While her husband was immediately drawn to the church, Hanna's testimony developed gradually as she studied the gospel and church doctrine. The family was baptized, beginning a lifelong commitment to their faith. Though she loved California's weather and beaches, Hanna and her family eventually settled in Orem, Utah, where she would spend the remainder of her life.
Hanna had many passions. She devoted her life to serving family, friends and her Church with considerable time to genealogy and family history research, using the Genealogical Library to trace her ancestors and performing extraction work for the church from microfilm records. As an accomplished woodcarver, she would often sit in her backyard crafting figurines as gifts for her children and grandchildren. Her green thumb was evident in the garden she faithfully planted each year, providing fresh produce she loved to share. Her practical skills extended to renovating apartments, building a greenhouse, and crafting cabinets and furniture. She was also a seamstress and made many clothes for her and her children. She could never sit idle so in the evenings you would find her busy knitting or crocheting or doing needle point. In her later years, Hanna served as a temple worker, finding great joy in this service.
Family was the centerpiece of Hanna's life. She maintained close bonds with her children and grandchildren by hosting weekly Sunday meals in her home, creating precious memories and strengthening family ties. Perhaps her greatest achievement was creating and nurturing her loving family.
Hanna is survived by her beloved children: Brigitte Little, Julita (Michael) Killpack, Evelyn Lewis, Andre (Judy) Okolowitz, Heidi (Matt) Cresswell, Doris (Ty) Ragsdale, and Carlo (Tina) Okolowitz. She also leaves behind a legacy of 26 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Heinz Okolowitz; parents, Paul and Pauline (Sperlich) Runschke; sister, Inge; son, Peter; and one grandchild, Kayden.
A public viewing will be held from 9:00 am to 10:30 am, followed by a memorial service from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Monday, May 12, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1405 North Main Street, Orem, Utah 84057. Her burial will immediately follow at Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem, Utah 84097.
Hanna will be greatly missed, and her memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who knew her.
to view the service online please click this link. https://zoom.us/j/92293754690?pwd=BeN98FXSYkdCuKqMbXkTfhKsAaNTta.1