Helen Walker Hansen was born to M. Scott Walker and Helen A. Walker on October 12,1940, at her grandparents’ ranch in Lost River Idaho. She joined her two sisters, Billee Lee and Leree. The family lived in Arco. Two years later, her brother, Monte, joined the family. The Walker kids were great friends. Helen’s childhood was spent with her siblings, working hard, playing on the mountain, catching lizards, and exploring. Helen had a happy outgoing personality, and she made friends wherever she went. The Walker family moved to Glendora, CA, when Helen was in the 8 th grade. She spent the two years going to school, hanging out with her siblings and cousins, and loving the ocean. She learned to ride horses there, and loved that. They moved back to Arco when she started her sophomore year in high school. Helen loved to play softball, but it was illegal for women to play sports in Idaho at that time, so she became a cheerleader. At the end of that year, she and Lane Hansen caught each other’s eyes. The two started dating and were inseparable from that point on. On their high school graduation night, he proposed and she accepted. They got married on September 19, 1958, in Lost River. They moved to Logan, Utah, to attend college and were sealed in the Logan Temple—and their adventure together began.
She and Lane moved several times as Lane settled into his career. Their first child, Teresa, was born in southern CA. The next three children, Marianne, Toni, and Michael, joined the family in Arco. Lynette and Richard joined the family while they were in Boise. The family moved back to Arco one last time and made that their forever home where she and Lane (and later Richard) ran Valley Insurance Center. After they returned to Arco, their youngest child, David, was born and the family was complete.
Helen’s greatest joy was her family, and she loved caring for them. She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, and taught her children to love Him. She taught herself to cook and became a fantastic cook. She loved to sew and made many beautiful clothes for her children. While in Boise, she took up oil painting. Helen loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping and fishing with her family. Helen also loved serving in many positions in her church. While in Arco, she continued to work in the scouting program for decades and eventually became the district scout advancement chairman. She helped numerous boys earn their eagle scout awards, and she received the Scouting Silver Beaver award for her years of dedication. She always loved flowers, and her flower garden was beautiful. She and Lane became devoted caregivers to their son for 16 years after an accident left him paralyzed.
Lane passed away in 2023, and Helen missed him. She battled health problems in her last years. She passed away peacefully in her home on October 15, 2025. She is survived by her children, Teresa Dando, Marianne Noy, Toni (Darrell) McDonald, Michael (Carla), Lynette (Doug) Simpson, Richard (Talisha), and David; 22 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and her brother-in-law, Don Walrath. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband, and one grandson, Nathaniel Dando.
A viewing will be held in her honor at the Anderson Family Funeral Home on Thursday, 10/23/2025 from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be Friday, 10/24/2025, at 11 am, at the Arco ~ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building. Family will greet family and friends for 1 hour before the service. Interment will be at the Lost River cemetery.

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