Louise Southworth

December 2, 1931 - July 3, 2015

Louise Elnora Hansen Southworth passed away July 3, 2015 in her Provo home at the age of 83 after battling a long illness of Multiple Sclerosis and congestive heart failure. Grant, lovingly and tenderly, cared for Louise during her illness these past several years. Louise married Grant LeRoy Southworth May 16, 1998 in the Manti Temple and dearly loved and respected him. Louise was born December 2, 1931 in the humble, loving home of her parents in Monroe, Utah. She grew up in a family that loved, cared and looked after each other. Louise’s parents, brothers & sisters and nieces & nephews were dear to her as she was to them. She treasured her family and her heritage. Louise was a stalwart, noble daughter of her Heavenly Father. She valued and honored the testimony she gained as a child from righteous parents. She faithfully fulfilled many church callings including Primary President, Sunday School teacher, teacher trainer, chorister and visiting teacher. She said “I know who I am. I am a daughter of Heavenly Father.” Louise’s lifetime accomplishments can add credence to an old adage that “Great things can come from small towns.” It’s true in Utah, anyway. Her contribution to society is illustrated by her 36 years as an educator at Parkside Elementary School in Murray, Utah. She said “I loved teaching. [I] really loved the kids.” She loved the children and thought of them as her own. Louise was honored as “Teacher of the Year” and for having the fewest absences, a significant accomplishment considering she had MS for half of her 36 years teaching. She was also recognized and honored for her work in creating and producing a Patriotic Program for her class and then her school which included all the children in her class. This program was documented on video. Many parents expressed their appreciation to her for her influence on their children. Louise was blessed with a wonderful voice and enjoyed singing with the Oratorio Society of Utah and The Jay Welch Chorale where she performed “Handel’s Messiah” at Christmas time in the Mormon Tabernacle. She was also asked to sing in Sacrament Meetings and at family and other events. Her family enjoyed singing with her as she played the guitar or piano. Louise, indeed, had the gift of charity. While teaching in Salt Lake City, most weekends she would make the 200 mile trip to Monroe, Utah to be with her aging parents while they were living. Louise is preceded in death by her parents John Albert and Caroline Miller Hansen; her brothers John Ellis Hansen, Albert Roland (Elva) Hansen, Melvin Miller (Nona) Hansen and Joseph Ward Hansen; her sisters, Agnes Hansen Holgate (William), Hannah Hansen Gay (Dee) and Leah Hansen Stevens (Lyle) and sister-in-law Patricia Cole Hansen (Evan). She is survived by her husband Grant LeRoy Southworth, her brother Evan Wilford Hansen (Glenna) and her sister Carol Genevieve Hansen Baker (Kay). Funeral services will be held in the Edgemont Stake Center, 303 West 3700 North, Provo, Utah, on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Viewing will be Saturday morning from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the Edgemont Stake Center. There will be a graveside service in the Monroe, Utah cemetery at 5:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Monroe, Utah city cemetery. Your presence at her funeral service is welcome and would be greatly appreciated by the family.