Rhoda Jeppson Hansen

Rhoda J. Hansen was born October 1, 1924 to Parley and Venna Jeppson in Brigham City, Utah. She passed away peacefully on July 25, 2023 in her home, surrounded by her loving family. Hard work is a trait that she learned as a young girl picking fruit and selling it in her family’s fruit stand. The fruit stand was to play a part in her destiny, as this is where she met

her future husband, Roland Hansen, as he frequented the fruit stand to visit the beautiful young woman that worked there. They were married June 1, 1940, the marriage was later solemnized in the Provo, Utah temple on November 29, 1988. She went from being a city girl, running a fruit farm, to a country girl helping milk 30-40 cows twice a day in Park Valley, Utah. They soon added to their family five beautiful children, Beverly, Karen, Marlene, Kent & Debbie. 

​“Just keep moving—you’ll feel better.” This has been her motto, as her children & grandchildren can attest, during her life. It must have worked as she lived to be just two months shy of her 99th birthday. Ever changing hats have been part of her life—wife, mother, lunch lady, volunteer, friend, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma. 

Rhoda settled with her family in Mapleton, Utah In 1948 where they raised their family. Rhoda moved with Roland to Price, Utah where they lived for 10 years before returning to their beloved Mapleton where she lived most of her life. Preserving fruit and family was a passion of Rhoda’s. She taught us all a great deal about both, sometimes at the same time. If ever you had a question about how to make your peaches last or put up some raspberry jam, she had the answer. The same goes for raising children, “There is always lots of good stuff with a few pits at the bottom. That’s just how it is!”

​Not a day goes by that we are not all grateful that Rhoda gave in to that young scallywag, Roland and started the story that has created such a beautiful legacy. Their family has grownimmensely, and each loved her dearly. 

​Rhoda is preceded in death by her husband, her children Debra Lyn & Kent, son in-laws, Alan, Paul & Boyd, her grandchildren Chad, Jed, Alisha, Brayden, Brandon, Austin, & Brooklyn. Rhoda is survived by her daughters Beverly Dibble, Karen Thomas, Marlene (Roy) Sheppard and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, & great-great grandchildren.

​Rhoda’s family would like to thank Peggy Burt for her devoted friendship and care, along with Paula Snow, her granddaughter who lived with and cared for her this past year. A special thanks to Enhabit hospice, Justine, Addison and Heather for their compassionate care and support this past year. 

​Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 1 at 11 am at Mapleton Stake Center, 970 N 400 E, Mapleton, Utah, with a viewing Monday evening from 6-8 at Wheeler Mortuary in Mapleton, 82 W 400 N, and Tuesday morning from 9:30-10:30 at the Mapleton Stake Center prior to the funeral service. The interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery.