R. Mark Hansen

Rulon "Mark" Hansen was born on August 23, 1962 in Berkley, California. He passed away after fighting valiantly with prostate cancer that metastasized into his bones and lymph nodes. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jodi Hansen, his two sons, Brendon (Abby) and Jacob Hansen, his sister, Ruth, and his sisters-in-law, Terry Sorensen (Marvin), Karen Timothy and Janet Timothy. Along with lots of nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.
He lived in Washington DC for a short time as a child and then his family set up their residency in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he was raised until adulthood. He went on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Honduras/Belize mission. He moved to Utah in 1986 because he wanted to meet other musicians and wanted to bring rock into the LDS music culture. He wrote, recorded, and produced many songs that you can find on YouTube. He worked many years in studios recording other people's music, and ran sound for plays and at the Westerner and for other bands. He ran sound for many plays and even ran the sound for President Bush when he came to Jackson Hole when he was running for President.
Mark married Jodi Timothy in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on August 25th, 1987. They did foster care for 8 years having many young adults go through their home. They truly loved these kids and they changed Mark and Jodi's life for the better. They tried for 8 years to have children of their own. They lost their first baby, Little Mark, as he was born early. They later finally were able to have their two children, Brendon and Jacob. This was Mark's most prized thing in life. He loved his boys so much and they were his best friends. They loved doing the same things. Mark was involved with all of their friends and loved them as well. This was where he excelled the most.
Mark was a creator. He was always creating something. He started with the music, and he then started doing Dutch oven cooking. He cooked almost every Sunday and tried new things. He wrote a blog about the things he made and Cedar Fort Publishing contacted him and asked him to write a cookbook. That turned into writing 7 cookbooks with different recipes. His family liked that he had to make dinner every week. He had a real talent. He then decided he wanted to try his hand at writing fiction and was able to write 4 fictional books in a series. He and his sons and bonus sons who were his son's friends, Tyler Luckau and Avery Kirk, made some games. They wrote a book for role-playing games; he also made a book on how to use role-playing games to strengthen parent and kids relationships. They also made a card game with scriptures.
He was an artist; he could play many instruments. He saw an ocarina and decided he wanted to try making them. He ended up making many of these. He worked with youth and adults with disabilities. Mark loved everyone, he never saw any differences in people and loved all people and found and appreciated each of their strengths. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints which was a big part of his life. He did not just go to church, he lived the principles of the church, it was the biggest part of who he was.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Uwe and Louise Hansen, his mother and fathers-in-law, Joan and Ray Bills and Don and Beverly Timothy, his brothers-in-law, Guy Timothy, Craig Timothy, and Steven Hollander, and his niece Ginni Sorensen Franco.
Cancer has been a hard road and the family could not have made it through without the kindness from friends, family, church members, friends from Indiana, and the Huntsman Center. We want to thank Scott Brimhall, his nurse, and cousin, and all of those with Rocky Mountain Hospice, and so many others.
His celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 10:00-11:45. His funeral will be at noon. It will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, Cedar Valley Chapel located at the Lake Mountain Church Building at 4142 N Lake Mountain Road, Eagle Mountain Utah 84005.
Mark hated ties and so in honor of him feel free not to wear one.
In lieu of flowers, buy one of his books and gift them to someone or to a local library! He would love that!
The funeral will be live streamed. https://youtube.com/live/cHZC2vWWcL8?feature=share