Larry James Hansen

Larry James Hansen passed away peacefully in Santa Clara, Utah on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the age of 82.

Larry was born January 11, 1944, to Betty Jean Gaisford Hansen (Spencer) and Lawrence W. Hansen. He grew up in American Fork, Utah. His parents divorced and both remarried. So, while Larry was raised in Betty and Ralph Spencer's home, Larry always felt like he had 4 parents including Lawrence and Marilyn Hansen.

Larry loved being out in the outdoors and spent much of his youth hunting with his friends and fishing with his Grandpa, Charles Gaisford. His first job was sweeping out his Grandpa Hans Alfred Hansen's wood shop. He earned $.25 a day. He got a paper route at about the age of 12. When he got old enough, he spent all his summers working for his father, Lawrence, building basements.

He graduated from American Fork High School in 1962 and went to BYU for a semester before leaving to serve in the Eastern Canada Mission from March 1963 to March 1965.

Larry married his sweetheart, Karen Christofferson, 3 months after returning home on June 25, 1965. They spent 60 lovely years together before her passing in 2025. He met Karen when he was 17 and knew right away she was the only one for him! Their only child, Karina, was born in June 1969.

Larry received his Bachelor's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1969, and his Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1971, both from Brigham Young University. Larry moved his family to Florida and earned an interdivisional PhD in Home Economics and Sociology from Florida State in 1973.

From 1973 to 2004 Larry worked as a professor for the University of New Hampshire. He spent his career there, earning a tenured position. Larry also had a Marriage and Family therapy practice for the same period. While at UNH Larry served as the Chairman for his department from 1985 -1999. He also spearheaded the development, organization, and installation of UNH's Masters degree program in Marriage and Family Therapy. He and Barbara Frankel ran the program together from 1990 until Larry retired in 2004. In 2005, Larry and Karen returned back to Utah and lived in Santa Clara until they both passed away.

He always had a passion for cars and planes. He bought his first vehicle, a jeep, at the age of 15 and bought his dream car, a convertible 1952 MGTD which he restored, at the age of 17. (He had dreams about that car until he died.) Larry and his lifelong friend, Steve Proctor, took flying lessons in high school together. Larry also loved weapons, reloading, tinkering, making pens, repairing clocks, reading, and learning new things.

Larry served in his church as a teacher at different times for children, youth, and adults, a counselor in several Bishoprics, as a Bishop, as a high councilor multiple times, and he wrote an article every month for his ward newsletter for over 10 years.

Larry was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a dear friend to many. He was a kind, gentle, and caring man who did his best to always help others and improve the human condition.

Larry is survived by his daughter, Karina Fuller, his son in law, Lennard Fuller, his grandchildren, Gareth, Eliza, Liam, and Joy Fuller, his brother Brent Spencer, his sister Marsha Colegrove, and his brothers John, Lynn, Don, and Von Hansen.

Larry is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Karen Christofferson Hansen, his parents, Betty Gaisford Spencer, Ralph H. Spencer, Lawrence W. Spencer, and Marilyn Hoglund Hansen, his brother Alan Spencer, his brother Ron Hansen, and his sister Darlene Fonohema.

Funeral services for Larry James Hansen will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 2:30pm at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. Geoge, Utah with a viewing held before the service at 1:30pm. Larry will be laid to rest at the Santa Clara City Cemetery following the services. 

Please withhold sending flowers and instead donate to either The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple fund, or to your favorite charity.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to share their favorite memories and sign Larry's online guestbook at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com