Keyte Leon Hanson

KEYTE HANSON 

April 29, 1936—February 23, 2025 

Keyte Leon Hanson lived a life full of experiences and adventure. He was born on April 29, 1936, the first boy and second child of Jesse Peter Hanson and Verda May Keyte. The family lived in a tight-knit neighborhood in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake. Keyte and his older sister Heloyce and younger brother Merrell were loved, active, and embraced in this safe and joyful haven, playing with friends in streets and backyards long after the summer sun had set. 

Keyte grew up in the shadow of the Great Depression and World War II, saving foil from gum wrappers to support the war effort. His mother sewed the family’s clothing and often attached patriotic patches to show their love of country. Keyte’s father was the local auto mechanic and owner of Hanson Auto Service, with the slogan “A Service for Every Car.” The shop was behind their family home until Keyte graduated from high school, and Keyte quickly became comfortable talking to adults about business with his father’s many loyal customers. 

Keyte graduated from South High School in 1954 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business management from Brigham Young University in 1960. He took a break during his college studies to serve a full-time religious service mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to Finland and loved the food, the weather, the people, and the wonderful companions he had, serving from 1956 to 1958, where he met his life long friend, Marv Loflin.

On June 5, 1959, he married the girl next door from the neighborhood of his youth, Lila Diane Edwards. They married in the Salt Lake temple and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shortly thereafter. They raised a family of six children and 16 grandchildren together and were married for 41 years. 

Keyte was ambitious and focused on his career, working his way up from a sales agent to a top executive at Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company. He served the company for more than 25 years until 1987, when he founded his independent consulting company, Winstar. 

Keyte was an equally ambitious father with great aspirations and zeal for his six children—three boys and three girls. The family fondly remembers cross-country trips packed into the green, wood-paneled station wagon and heading to California, Maine, South Dakota, Florida, and other far-flung destinations. Keyte traveled a lot for Northwestern, but always strived to take his family with him when he could, and he particularly loved to visit LDS Church history sites like Palmyra, New York; Independence, Missouri; or Nauvoo, Illinois. It wasn’t uncommon for the six kids to get hot, rowdy, and loud on these trips and for Keyte to sternly turn to the back seat and proclaim (sometimes through gritted teeth): “We’re going to do this as a family, and we’re going to have fun!” 

Of all the travel destinations, the one Keyte loved the most was returning to Salt Lake two or three times a year to visit the Edwards and Hanson extended families. Keyte cherished his relationship with his parents, brother and sister, and their families, and their annual summer reunions, trips to Snelgrove ice cream for cones, to Liberty Park to visit the aviary, and to Lagoon amusement park with all the cousins are indelible and treasured memories. 

Keyte was thrilled to journey to Finland, where he had served his mission, to participate in the dedication of the Helsinki Finland LDS temple. He was passionate about his faith, and served valiantly in numerous callings throughout his life, including as a counselor in the Milwaukee Wisconsin stake presidency for 9.5 years. He also served as bishop of the Milwaukee ward, ward clerk, and gospel doctrine teacher. His favorite callings were with the Boy Scouts, and he was always happiest when working with the scouts on projects, camping, or earning merit badges. He served in many positions on the Milwaukee County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and his sons all recall their dad’s constancy of support and energy in all their scouting work. During his tenure on the Milwaukee County Council, he was awarded The Silver Beaver Award, an award given by the Boy Scouts of America to registered adult leaders who have provided distinguished service to the organization. 

Later in life, after his children were grown and he had left the insurance industry, Keyte made a fresh start by moving to Springville, Utah in 2002. It was in a church meeting group that Keyte met Linda Morin. They became friends, then companions, ultimately marrying on October 4, 2008. They enjoyed more than 16 wonderful years together, with Keyte being a fun and loving grandpa to Lin’s family of five grown children and their spouses, plus Lin’s 24 grandchildren. It was a joyful second chapter for Keyte, and Lin remained a devoted and loving partner to Keyte throughout the rest of his life. 

Keyte loved to travel, take tons of photos, collect coins and all kinds of unique memorabilia, and playing with dogs, particularly his little dog Chip. He was friendly, outgoing, and loved great conversation that challenged the status quo. 

Keyte leaves behind his loving wife, Lin Morin Hanson, his sister Heloyce Francel Hamilton (James), his brother Jesse Merrell Hansen (Mary), and his six children Raili Dawn Hanson Hyatt (Jim), Conley Parker Hanson, Brady Dean Hanson (Cindee), Keri Rachel Hanson Foti (Ted), Traci Alane Hanson Suminski, Jory Edward Hanson (Heather), as well as 15 grandchildren, having been preceded in death by granddaughter Nicole Hyatt. 

Services for Keyte will be held on Saturday, March 8th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 860 East 200 North, Springville, Utah. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and funeral services at 11 a.m. The burial will be in the afternoon at the Mona City Cemetery, near his beloved parents. 

 Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.