Shari Lyn Hansen

Shari Lyn Hansen completed her mortal ministry and graduated to the other side of the veil on October 4, 2023, after a noble fight with cancer. She was 62.
She spent her final days surrounded by her family and passed away peacefully at her home in Newton, Utah, with her sweetheart and eternal companion, Matt, by her side.
Shari was born on September 11, 1961, in Logan, Utah, to Ronald and Sheila Archibald. She grew up in Logan and Smithfield, Utah, with her younger sister Melanie and younger brothers Andy and Shawn.
As a child, she loved watching soap operas with her sister and hated the outdoors. Her mom recalls having to force her to play outside. Shari also enjoyed teasing her little brothers, especially Andy after the Dallas Cowboys lost. She would needle him until he lost his temper, after which she would run away and lock herself in a room before he could catch her. But she made up for it by playing football with him in their yard even though she didn’t like being outside or playing football. Disregarding her own interests for the sake of helping others was a hallmark of Shari’s life.
Shari graduated from Sky View High School in Smithfield in 1979. Shortly thereafter, she met Matt Hansen at a dance in Logan. They were engaged after a few months of courtship and sealed for eternity on December 4, 1981, in the Logan, Utah LDS temple.
Matt and Shari lived in Logan for six years. There they welcomed their first two children, Heath and Dustin. In 1987, they moved to Newton, UT, where they added two more kids to the family, Clinton and Caitlin.
Newton has been Shari and Matt’s beloved home for 36 years. Although opportunities to relocate arose occasionally, Shari was adamant about staying in Newton. She could not fathom leaving such wonderful people and such a beautiful community. Shari quickly became a pillar of the town, immersing herself in church callings, community organizations, and serving as a second mom to many of her kids’ friends. The people of Newton have taken great care of Shari and Matt since her cancer diagnosis. The Hansen family so appreciates the tremendous outpouring of love and support from the community.
Shari worked at Campbell Scientific in Logan in various capacities for nearly 40 years. At the time of her passing, she was a documentation clerk in the engineering department. She made many great friends and memories at Campbells over the years. Her family is extremely grateful for the support and flexibility the company gave her as she battled cancer.
Shari was a devoted lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She possessed an unwavering testimony of her Savior, which was evident in the way she selflessly served and loved others throughout her life. She faithfully served in many church callings including in the primary, relief society, Sunday school, and the young women’s program. At the time of her passing, Shari was serving as an Activity Days leader. Although she loved every calling and every person she served, the young women (who affectionately called her Travis) always held an extra special place in her heart. She loved them like her own kids.
Everyone who knew Shari will remember her for her many Christlike attributes. She happily sacrificed her own convenience, wants, and desires to assist and lift others. Nowhere was this more evident than within her own family. Shari would drop everything at a moment’s notice if a member of her family was in need. Whether it was driving to school to drop off a forgotten lunchbox, picking up a sick kid from school, coming home from work early so her kids could play with their friends, or helping to care for her elderly parents, Shari always prioritized the wellbeing of her family.
Shari was also a consummate peacemaker, which could be readily seen and felt in her home. She may have been the world’s worst disciplinarian (the mere thought of punishing her kids in any way gave her anxiety) but it rarely mattered because her ability to calmly resolve conflict, coupled with her kids’ general reluctance to disappoint her, was usually sufficient to keep them in line.
Shari will also be remembered for her infectious smile and sense of humor. She had an innate gift to lift others’ spirits and could always bring a smile to someone’s face, sometimes unintentionally. Her uncanny ability to lose things like her purse, car keys, and glasses provided many moments of laughter, especially when long searches for her glasses ended with her finding them sitting on her head.
Family, friends, and neighbors also found humor in Shari’s driving habits. While she exhibited great patience in most other settings, it all vanished when she was the behind the steering wheel. It was not uncommon for her family to hear friends and neighbors laugh as they shared their experiences of Shari zipping past them on the road.
Shari loved to laugh. In even the most difficult circumstances she enjoyed finding humor, a gift she retained until the very end.
Shari never let anything get in the way of quality family time. She would do anything her kids or grandkids did just to spend time with them. Among her favorite family activities were playing board games, playing sports, watching Utah Jazz games, and making Sunday dinner. Additionally, Matt’s love of the outdoors helped her overcome her aversion to nature and she grew to love camping and 4-wheeler riding. She especially cherished the annual family camping trips to Willow Flat and Bear Lake.
Of course, nothing in this life brought Shari more pride and joy than her nine grandkids: Tenley, Reagan, Ellie, Olivia, Easton, Ashton, Rowan, Graham, and Carter. She particularly enjoyed telling them yes after their parents told them no. Nothing could keep Grandma Shari from spending time with her grandkids. For four years, her son’s family, which included three of her grandkids, lived on the east coast. Despite her intense fear of flying, Shari would board a plane several times each year to see them. These trips produced many lasting memories with grandma.
We find comfort in knowing that our separation from Shari is only temporary and that she is now free of the stress and pain brought on by cancer. We are also sure that a happy reunion has taken place with her grandparents and mother- and father-in-law who preceded her in death.
But she will be greatly missed here by her surviving family members including her faithful husband, Matt; their kids Heath (Brit) Hansen of St. George, Utah, Dustin (Lori) Hansen of Smithfield, Clinton (Erica) Hansen of Bear River, Utah, and Caitlin (Luke) Erlebach of Star, Idaho; her parents Ronald and Sheila Archibald of Smithfield; her siblings Melanie (Del Ray) Purser of North Logan, Utah, Andy (Jamie) Archibald, of Smithfield, and Shawn Archibald of Smithfield; and her nine grandchildren. She will also be remembered fondly by her brothers- and sisters-in-law, and her many nieces and nephews.
The family would also like to thank the amazing doctors, nurses, specialists, and hospice caregivers who cared for Shari throughout her illness.
We love and miss you, Shari. Enjoy no longer having to worry about where you put your car keys.
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A viewing for Shari will be held Friday, October 13 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Newton LDS church (100 West 100 South, Newton, UT)
A second viewing will be held Saturday, October 14 from 9:30am to 10:30am at the Newton LDS church.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 14 at 11:00am at the Newton LDS church.
A graveside service will be held at the Newton cemetery (1005 North 100 West, Newton, UT) following the funeral.