Van Wiseman Hansen

Van Wiseman Hansen, born February 9, 1950, passed away on January 26, 2026, after a courageous battle with liver disease. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend whose life was marked by creativity, adventure, faith, and deep love for family.

Van was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grew up in the Millcreek area, where he attended Olympus High School. He was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern States Mission, an experience that strengthened his lifelong faith. Van was a man of faith and had a deep love for his Savior, which guided the way he lived and loved others.

Following high school, Van received a music scholarship to Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, where he further developed his musical talents. He was musically gifted, playing both the violin and viola, and performed in numerous orchestras, including the Salt Lake Symphony, sharing his love of music with the community.

Van also had a remarkable eye for photography and was rarely without his camera, capturing moments and memories that his family will cherish for generations.

An adventurer at heart, Van loved the outdoors. Camping, hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, and jeeping brought him great joy. His favorite place away from home was the top of Boulder Mountain, where he found peace, beauty, and a sense of freedom. He especially loved passing on outdoor survival skills to his grandchildren—teaching them how to build fires, use tools, and practice safety outdoors.

Van was a devoted fan of the Utah Utes, passionately cheering (and loudly hollering) during football games. One of his greatest joys was watching his grandchildren play sports and being present in their lives.

Van was preceded in death by his father, Einar Hansen; his mother, Vinita Wiseman Hansen; his brother, Kyle Hansen; his brother-in-law, Wayne Schipaanboord; and his beloved dog companions, Ralph and Booker.

He is survived by his loving wife, Karen Gleave Hansen; his children, Terrill (Tara) Rasmussen, Ryan (Kim) Rasmussen, and Amy (Aaron) Cary; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; his sister, Tara Schipaanboord; his brother, Kim Hansen (Eileen); and many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Anderson and Goff Mortuary, located at 11859 South 700 East, Draper, Utah 84020. A viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.

Burial will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah 84092.

Van’s legacy lives on through the memories he captured, the music he played, the mountains he loved, the faith he lived, and the family he treasured. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.