St. George, Utah - Ruth Elvine Cornwell Hansen, 102, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of October 20, 2020 at her home in St. George, UT. Ruth was born June 28, 1918 in Tuscarora, NV to parents Kirk T. Cornwell and Delia Hart Cornwell.

Ruth had a long and remarkable life. She spent her childhood in Elko, NV, where her father owned a trucking and excavation company. She had many childhood stories of fun times with her immediate and extended families, including her maternal cousins, Leah, Dorothy, Theida and Peggy Phillips. She was especially proud of her job during high school as bookkeeper for Elko Motor Supply. She went on to graduate from Reno Business College and proudly served as secretary for the Superintendent of the Nevada State Highway Dept.

Ruth met her future husband-to-be, James "Jim" G. Hansen, when he came to the family home to hire her father to haul gold ore from a mine near Tuscarora to the railroad in Elko. She married Jim on Thanksgiving Day, November 20, 1941 in Ironwood, MI. Because Jim was a mining engineer, Ruth's family moved several times in the early years, often to remote locations, including Michigan, upstate New York, Sunnyside, UT, Kelso, CA and Eagle Mountain, CA. In later years the family lived in Covina, CA where Ruth was a homemaker and school librarian. Jim traveled the world for mineral exploration and Ruth had many opportunities to accompany him and experience diverse people, places and cultures. Upon retirement in 1977, Jim and Ruth moved to St. George to be close to her sister, Jeanne Fawcett, whose husband was a St. George native, bought a small farm and enjoyed many years of retirement. For many years Ruth and Jim spent the winter months in Tucson, Arizona with their daughter Pam, her husband Mike and their grandsons, James, Chris and Mike. They joined in many family activities including holiday parties, soccer games and horse competitions.

Jim passed away on May 14, 2000 and is interred at the old St. George City Cemetery.

Ruth loved her family very much and was a very conscientious parent and grandparent. She placed a high priority on education, integrity and cleanliness. She had a very strong personality and character, and had a seemingly irrepressible will to live, evidenced by her longevity. Her children and descendants will always cherish their memory of her strong personal example and deep love of her family.

Ruth and Jim had two children: Pamela H. Walbom, Tucson, AZ and James K. Hansen, Dammeron Valley, UT; three grandchildren: James M. Walbom, Mesa, AZ; Christopher P. Walbom, Sadler, TX and Michael P. Walbom, Pittsburgh, PA; and five great grandchildren: Julia Walbom, Sophia Walbom, Isabella Walbom, Michael Walbom and Bryce Walbom. Ruth had three siblings who preceded her in death, sister, Jeanne Cornwell Fawcett, St. George and Las Vegas, NV; and brothers: Thomas "Bud" Cornwell, St. George and Las Vegas, NV and Jack Cornwell, Claremore, OK.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Daisy Hammon, Fran Hammon and the many other caregivers who helped Ruth's son, Jim, care for Ruth during her last years. Their care and dedication have been extraordinary beyond words. The family would also like to thank various health care providers, including Dr. Claude Warner, IHC, and nurses and nurse aids from Encompass Home Health, especially Lynette Bingalli, M'Liss Jacobs and Janae Figgins. A small family and caregiver graveside service and internment was held Saturday, October 24, 2020 at the old St. George City Cemetery.