Zella Evalyn Gardner Hansen, 97, passed away Friday October 17, 2014 at the home of her granddaughter RaeLyn and husband Rdale Price in Pocatello, Idaho. She was born November 1, 1916 to William Edward and Nancy Evaline Stone Gardner in Rose, Idaho. She married her sweetheart, Arvel Vern Hansen, on June 7, 1934. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple .

Zella attended grade school in Rose where transportation to school was by horseback, buggy or sleigh in the winter. She was a gifted student and was valedictorian of her eighth grade graduating class. She graduated from Blackfoot High School in 1934. She was a talented pianist, and accompanied her sweetheart Arvel as he played his violin in many venues. She played the organ for church services, and he led the music for the congregation, resulting in a sweet courtship and their marriage.

She went with her new husband to Pocatello where he continued his music education at what is now ISU, and also at the University of Idaho, Moscow. She has always been a loving support to her husband and family in everything good and worthwhile. Just recently, even at her advanced age she hoped to do "worthwhile things".

All of Zella's descendants have been nurtured in the musical arts. She and Arvel made developing the talents of their children a priority, which has resulted in generations of family members enjoying the gift of music in their lives.

The desire of Zella's heart was to be valiant in her service and covenants as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that her children and their families should enjoy those same blessings. She served as Primary President, Relief Society President, teacher of the youth and adults, organist, chorister, temple worker, visiting teacher and missionary with Arvel. She was an avid family historian, and compiled her own history and that of many ancestors. For years, she published a monthly family newsletter containing pictures and news from each family. She was a 58 year member of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and served in leadership in that organization. Missionaries serving from her family number 40 .

Zella has worked as secretary at the "AEC" site on the Arco Desert, and her last employment was at the Uintah Basin Area Vocational Center in Roosevelt, Utah. In Roosevelt their home and yard was recognized by the city for her beautiful flower gardens.

In 1987 Arvel and Zella moved from Roosevelt, Utah to Rexburg, Idaho to be closer to their family and to enjoy their many activities which continued for Zella after Arvel's death in 2003, until the past few months when her health would not permit her to attend concerts, recitals and the many other activities of her family.

Zella was the ultimate example of homemaker, and everyone loved to be in her home to enjoy the happy atmosphere, and the love felt there. Her home was filled with her art of quilt-making, sewing, crocheting, decorating, and wonderful meals and baking cookies, and her singing as she worked. Zella loved to grow beautiful roses and flowers, and enjoyed canning produce from their bountiful garden in earlier years. She did everything with the thought in mind of doing it well. Most of all, we loved to be with her and feel of her happy and sweet personality. No matter the weather, it was always a wonderful day in her eyes.

She supported her husband in all his work, enjoying his years as an educator and also the 18 years he spent in farming operations, driving the tractor and cultivating, or cutting potatoes for seed, keeping the financial books, caring for chickens and the milk from the cows in their farms in the Groveland and Taber areas. She was resilient and steadfast.

Zella is survived by two daughters, Sharlene (Don) Denney of Rexburg and LaRae (Gary) Longmore of Pocatello; two sons, Merlin (Nadine) Hansen of Cedar City, Utah and Rick (Cheryl) Hansen of Rexburg; 22 Grandchildren, 77 Great-grandchildren, 23 Great-great Grandchildren and a sister Lucille (Gardner) Jones of Blackfoot. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and one sister, three grandsons, and one granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the West Main Ward, 700 Park Street, Rexburg. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home, and Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Grove City Cemetery, Blackfoot.