Joseph Reed Hansen

-By Freeman Johnson

As I asked Jody to write something of what she remember of her father, her response was that it wasn’t much, as he died just before her 5th birthday. What she did remember was how tall he was, and those very long legs. She remember him carrying her and retrieving her and Richard when they went down by the irrigation ditch just below their house. She remember his kindness and the new home he had built for his family. It was the home that Vern and Emma Jane lived in for many years, just a little way up the road from Grandma Hansen’s.

Even though I was the oldest cousin, I don’t remember much about Reed either (I was only 7 when he died). I do remember going to their home shortly after they moved into it and I remember how nice it was. I was most impressed by the bay window near the kitchen table. I remember the house being such a pretty white and brand-spanking new.

As for as his being tall, that didn’t fit with the stories I remember my father telling. In high school, as their group were dating in a rather small coupe car, there wasn’t enough room... so since Reed was the smallest they had him lay down behind the seat on the shelf by the back window, even though it was tight, he did just fit.

I do remember the news of his death and how my Mother being concerned about making the arrangement for all that needed to be done in Richfield. Reed is buried in the Richfield City Cemetery. A life cut way too short in our way of looking at things. Latter on Aunt Marie and daughters moved to Pleasant Grove where she operated a beauty shop. My wife Ileen remembers Jody (JoAnn) being in her class at school.

Jody Theobald adds the following:

The stories you heard are true. My mother has told me that when Reed went out to High School he was so small that people kidded him: "Is that little kid going to high school?" Then he shot up in height almost overnight.

Before his death they had arranged to sell their home to Vern and Emma Jane. They planned to go to Provo. Reed would try to find a job in Civil Service and then go to Law School. Mother would go to Beauty School and work while he went to Law School. His sudden death left her devastated, widowed at 22 without a high school diploma and two children to support.