(May 17, 1947 – March 11, 2014)
Joanne Burgess Hafen, age 66, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2014. She was born May 17, 1947, the oldest child of Joseph Burton and Evelyn Selena Harrison Burgess. She married Wilford Leon Hafen on June 22, 1963, in St. George, Utah.
She spent much of her childhood at the Burgess Ranch near Pinto, Utah and her family moved back to St. George during the winter time so Joanne could attend school. She loved her time at the Ranch because she valued that time being so close to her grandparents and cousins. She loved fishing and being in the outdoors.
She met her sweetheart, Wilford, on the steps of the St. George Tabernacle. It was love at first sight, and they have been inseparable for the past 50 years. They are the parents of three children: Michelle, Melissa, and Brent. They were sealed as an eternal family in the St. George Temple on September 12, 1981. They raised their family in Ivins, Utah.
Joanne served in various callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life but had a special fondness for teaching Primary. She loved the children in her Primary classes, and they loved her.
She is survived by her father, Joseph Burton Burgess of St. George, UT; her spouse, Wilford Leon Hafen of Ivins, UT; her children, Michelle Madsen (A. Eugene Madsen) of Ivins, UT, Melissa Jackson (Randall L Jackson) of Hurricane, UT and Brent Leon Hafen of Ivins, UT; 15 grandchildren, Sabrina Madsen, Miranda Sleeman (Brandon), Genae Christensen (Brett), Jordan Anne Healey (Jarom), Stacia Wahlgren (Dan), Cameron Hafen (Robin), Jace Jackson, McKensy Madsen, Melissa Madsen, Kaden Jackson, Kody Hafen, Kylee Jo Hafen, Remington Jackson, Colton Hafen, and Cheyenne Jackson; three great-grandchildren, Hailee Sleeman, Cache Christensen, and Rylee Sleeman; sisters, Kathy Christiansen (Wes) and Valynne Milne; brothers, Bruce Burgess (Lynda), Kevin Burgess, and Craig Burton Burgess. She is preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Selena Burgess and her baby sister, Connie Burgess.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 11 a.m. in the Ivins Stake Center, 260 E. 1060 S., Ivins, UT.
- Friends may call Monday, March 17 from 6-8 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, UT, and also on Tuesday morning from 9-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the Stake Center.
- Interment will take place in the Santa Clara Cemetery.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Joanne’s guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.