Dennis Seth Hansen
Dennis Seth Hansen, 81, passed surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home on March 9, 2024 following a courageous battle with neuroendocrine cancer.
He was born on June 28, 1942 in Rexburg, Idaho to Seth L. and Carrol W. Hansen. He was raised in Tetonia, Idaho where he graduated from Teton High School in 1960 despite many teachers never thinking he would make it through! Dennis played baseball and basketball, continuing to Ricks College to play baseball prior to his LDS mission to The California Mission.
Upon returning home, Dennis’s journey took him to Brigham Young University, where fate intervened in the form of Marianne Taylor. Their love story began when Dennis, working the ride board to afford gas for visits home, found more than just a travel companion in Marianne. They were engaged in February and later sealed in the LDS Idaho Falls Temple on May 29, 1964, embarking on a remarkable 60-year journey together.
After earning a degree in Business from BYU, Dennis and Marianne settled in Cody, Wyoming, where he worked for Husky Oil. Still looking for free gas money to visit home, Dennis took an interview in Soda Springs, Idaho at Monsanto. An unexpected job opportunity led them to Soda Springs, Idaho, where Dennis spent 27 fulfilling years raising their children there before his appointment to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission in 1995 prompted a move to Meridian, Idaho.
While his main profession was in accounting, his true passion was in life’s extras – the joys not so easily quantified. From his civic duty starting on the Soda Springs City Council to making laws as an Idaho State Senator and ensuring fair rates as a Commissioner on the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Dennis relished his role in public service. He served in many leadership roles during his political service, including chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, ranking member of the JFAC committee, and then as the president of the IPUC serving as president of the Western Regulators Commission. One of his greatest highlights was bringing Warren Buffet to Boise to speak at the WRC conference during his tenure as president.
A proud member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Dennis held the world in his heart, and most especially, his family. A husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he loved his family and relished any time he could with his posterity. He always said, “you can’t put a price tag on memories” and worked hard to create lasting memories with his posterity through Easter Egg hunts, Dutch oven BBQs, legendary holiday game nights, and even family golf scrambles. If you knew him, you knew he loved anything with a little competition.
He found joy in coaching the youth and paced the sidelines even in his final years. As a faithful fan of the Utah Jazz and BYU basketball and football, some of his fondest memories came from running basketball camps in Soda Springs and bringing in players such as Karl Malone, Adrian Dantley, Danny Ainge and many other BYU basketball players throughout the years. It was in his final week where he learned the true impact of his life as a coach and was touched by the many great messages of gratitude for his life of service. Dennis found joy in retirement working in his garden, making his famous homemade pressed apple cider, teasing his Saint Bernards, spending time golfing, enjoying the beaches in Hawaii, enjoying a cold piece of watermelon, rocking in his swing on the deck and drinking a slightly frozen Mexican Coca-Cola.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Marianne Taylor Hansen, and his six children Shelli (Dave) Tolman – Meridian, Kristi Hansen – Boise, Chad (Kim) Hansen – Lakeland, Florida, Heather (Doug) Cartwright – West Plains, Missouri, Ryan (Amber) Hansen – Eagle, and Nikki Hansen – Pocatello.
He leaves 19 grandchildren Tyler Tolman – Boise, Jordan (Katie) Morales – Boise, Melissa Morales – California, Logan (Vanessa) Cartwright – Tulsa, OK, Jared (Allie) Tolman – Meridian, Derick (Kylie) Morales – Boise, Jason (Sandee) Tolman – Meridian, Ryan (Ashlyn) Tolman – Durham, NC, Payton (Ember) Hansen, Boiling Springs, SC, Tanner Cartwright – Nashville, Jackson (Erica) Hansen – Gilbert, AZ, Katie Tolman – Orem, Riley Cartwright – West Plains, MO, Elder Cooper Hansen – Porto Alegre, Brazil, Halle Cartwright – Logan, UT, Oakley Hansen – Boise, Easton, Rawley, and Preston Hansen – Eagle, and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Ilene Sherman.
Dennis will be remembered for his unwavering love, boundless generosity, and infectious enthusiasm for life. His impact on those he coached, mentored, and loved will be felt for generations to come.
Dennis will be honored on March 30, 2024 at 1:00pm at 6655 North Meridian Road, Meridian, Idaho. A gathering for friends and family will be held immediately following in the same location.
To attend the service virtually, please visit: https://youtube.com/live/V9xPQRepuvg?feature=share
Or on YouTube Channel: @DMHansenFamily
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.