Elizabeth Jean Hench

Santa Clara, Utah

Elizabeth Jean Hench, of Santa Clara, Utah, passed away peacefully at the age of 47 on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, following a courageous 19-month battle with breast cancer and, ultimately, leptomeningeal disease.

Liz was born on June 1, 1979, in Magrath, Alberta, Canada, to Timothy and Joanne Bolokoski Tanner. On July 12, 2014, she was sealed to Nathan Hench for time and all eternity in the Sacramento, California, Temple.

Liz spent her early years in Canada before her family moved to California, where she was raised. She treasured every opportunity to return home to Canada and cause a little mischief with her siblings and cousins.

After graduating from high school, Liz attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, where she earned an associate degree. She later moved to Provo, Utah, where she spent several years working, building friendships, and enjoying life. There, Liz and Nate first met and dated, though their eternal journey together would not begin until many years later.

Family was everything to Liz. As the oldest of five children, she felt an innate responsibility to protect and care for those she loved. Her heart was ten times the size of her frame. She loved wholeheartedly and expressed that love through action. Long before she had children of her own, she spoiled her nieces and nephews endlessly.

Liz had an adventurous spirit. She loved planning detailed trips with itineraries that left little time for relaxation. She loved the beach and the ocean, but she was equally at home in the snowy mountains. She enjoyed snowboarding and longboarding. After moving from California to southern Utah following her marriage in 2014, she fell in love with Santa Clara's beauty. She especially loved its red hills and found peace and solace while hiking there with her family.

Liz was an extraordinary mother. She adored her stepdaughter, Genevieve, and helped raise her from the age of two. Alexandra was born in 2015 and was the family’s miracle baby. Nothing could separate Alex from her mother.

Liz cared for her home, made sure the girls attended all their activities, and worked part-time as a bookkeeper for her father’s commercial roofing company in California. She also accepted appointments as a licensed massage therapist when she was available, served on the PTA, faithfully fulfilled many Church callings, and attended and cheered at every one of her girls’ soccer games. Through it all, she still made time to love and adore her husband.

Liz was a warrior like no other. She played hard, laughed hard, loved hard, and fought courageously to the very end.

As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Liz had a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She lived with genuine love, served others through her actions, and put her trust in God. She was the absolute best of us. She will be deeply missed, but we know she will watch over us as our guardian angel until we see her again.

Liz is survived by her husband, Nathan Hench; her daughters, Genevieve and Alexandra Hench; her parents, Timothy and Joanne Bolokoski Tanner of Santa Clara; her grandmother, Bonnie Jean Schow Bolokoski Kunkel and her husband, Lloyd of Magrath, Alberta, Canada; and her siblings, Melissa Stauffer and her husband, Kurt; Tim Tanner and his wife, Martha; Katherine Wall and her husband, David; and Victoria Wang and her husband, Kai. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and other loved ones.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3815 Rachel Drive, Santa Clara, Utah. A visitation will take place immediately before the funeral, from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. Interment will follow at Santa Clara City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations toward a memorial bench that Liz requested be placed near her burial site. The bench will offer family, friends, and visitors a place to sit and enjoy the location's beauty and serenity. Venmo: @Nathan-Hench