Dora Ellen Clayson Hanks

Dora Ellen Clayson Hanks

Dora Ellen Clayson Hanks passed away oh, so peacefully on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, surrounded physically and spiritually by her loving family.

Dora was born April 18, 1922 in Logan, Utah.  She is the third of eight children born to Archer Lester and Mabel Rawlins Clayson.

The Clayson family moved to Spanish Fork in time for Dora to attend Spanish Fork High School, where she met Duane Hanks, the luckiest boy ever born in nearby Salem.  Dora and Duane became high school sweethearts, laying the foundation for an eternity together.  They were married in the Salt Lake temple on April 28, 1942.  Dora and Duane raised their eight children in Salt Lake City.  She worked as a telephone operator, first for the phone company and then for LDS Hospital.  Later she was the Bakery Lady at Dan’s Foods for many years. 

She was always an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She served in many callings and sang in choirs and in small groups, including the sometimes-famous Chick Bird sextet.  Dora also served for 3-1/2 years in the Salt Lake temple.

Along with her beautiful singing voice, Dora played the piano wonderfully.  Her family loved to hear her play her waltzes.

Wherever and whenever Dora was, she was part of a loving group of friends who enjoyed spending time together.  These friendships spanned time and distance.  Among those friendships are those developed as Dora served as a Captain in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Dora was preceded in death by her parents, her eternal companion, Duane, brothers Vern and Darrel, sisters Hazel Warner, Vonda Anderson and Laraine Samuelsen.

She is survived by her brother Douglas (Ann) Clayson and her sister Larene (Lee) Wagenaar, children DeAnna (Len) Whitney, Brent (Carla) Hanks, Pat (Craig) Camomile, Dennis (Kim) Hanks, Barbara (Rich) Vanderhoof, Jolene Davie, Paul (Jerilyn) Hanks and Jeff (Lynda) Hanks, 48 grandchildren, 127 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Good Shepherd Hospice, and particularly to Amy Broome.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday November 25, 2017 at the Rosecrest First Ward, 3101 South 2300 East. Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and also on Saturday prior to the service at the church from 9:30am to 10:30am. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. On line memories and tributes can be sent to the family at www.holbrookmortuary.com