Jan. 5, 1935-Oct. 23, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce Verden Karl Hannig passed away Oct. 23, 2022, with his wife Joyce and their four sons by his side. He was born in a small adobe home in Washington, Utah, on Jan. 5, 1935. His parents were Joseph Arnold Hannig and Sopha Prince. He was the youngest of 11 children.
Verden grew up in humble circumstances. His father was a farmer and the irrigation water master in the Washington fields. He developed a strong work ethic at an early age by working with their livestock, family gardens and field crops.
His education started at the Washington Elementary School and continued at Woodward Junior High and then Dixie High School in St. George. After graduating from high school, he attended Dixie Junior College for one year on a football scholarship and then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southern Utah State College and Utah State University.
Verden met the beautiful and popular Joyce Caudill in high school. He said he first paid serious attention to her at a dance in Washington City. She was part of a group of girls from St. George who were attending the dance. He developed a huge crush on Joyce, and after an eventful courtship, they were married in the St. George Temple on June 17, 1955. Verden frequently told his sons he was amazed that a small-town country boy like himself was blessed with such an amazing and beautiful wife. His adoration for Joyce was witnessed by their children in his kind, generous, respectful and loving treatment of her throughout their lives together. They were blessed with four sons and enjoyed a beautiful marriage for 67 years.
Verden always worked more than one job at a time. He was a school teacher for 35 years, teaching fourth, fifth and sixth grades. He started his teaching career in North Las Vegas, Nevada, but most of his teaching years were spent at East Elementary in St. George. He also taught at te West Elementary, the sixth-grade center at the old Woodward school building and at the Bloomington Elementary School the first year it opened. Verden was a dedicated teacher who genuinely cared about and loved those he taught. He was beloved by his students and had a positive influence on them.
In addition to teaching school, Verden was a skilled carpenter and building contractor. He built dozens of homes and did numerous additions and remodels in the St. George area. He did these projects in the evenings after teaching school, on Saturdays and during the summers. He was extremely particular about his building quality and always wanted to give his customers his best work.
Farming was in Verden’s blood. He had 15 acres in the Washington Fields where he raised sugar beet seed, grain and alfalfa most of his adult life. Towards the end of his teaching career, he became one of the owners and the Manager of Settlers RV Park in St. George. He was in charge of the daily operations for more than 15 years. He thoroughly enjoyed the work but more importantly the tenants he served and those he worked with. He developed many close friendships and could frequently be found enjoying a game of pool in the office with many of these friends.
As a youth, Verden loved roaming the hills around his home and family farm. As an adult, Verden enjoyed the outdoors and loved to spend time hunting and fishing with his boys. He never missed the opening day of the deer hunt or the fishing season. He also enjoyed traveling with Joyce.
Verden was very humble. He served quietly and effectively in local civic, religious and professional organizations. This included service as city recorder for the city of Washington, Utah; as president of the Washington County Education Association and as a board member of the Washington County Travel and Convention Bureau.
In his church, he served in various leadership positions including High Priest Group Leader and as a counselor in the bishopric. He and Joyce were able to serve two missions locally, which he delighted in. He genuinely loved people and was very charitable. He had a soft spot in his heart for widows in need and the homeless. His example of honesty in his dealings with others has had a profound effect on his family. He always went out of his way to be more than fair with others. He was very committed to following the Savior, Jesus Christ in his own humble and consistent manner.
Verden is survived by his wife of 67 years Joyce Hannig; siblings Warren Hannig, Karren Leslie, Arlene Stansworth and Cleo Ballard; children Kelly (Shelley) Hannig, Greg (Debbie) Hannig, Brent (Amie) Hannig and Scott (Marla) Hannig. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Sopha Hannig, by brothers Arnold Hannig and Willard Hanni, and sisters Fern Riding, Wilma Bolstad, Glenna Leany and Phoebe DeMille.
Verden was able to bless the lives of 21 grandchildren and 52 great-grandchildren during his lifetime.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, Oct. 29, at noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, East Ridge chapel, located at 912 South 1740 East, St. George.
Visitation hours will be from 10-11:30 a.m., prior to the funeral service.
Interment will be at the Washington, Utah, cemetery.
Friends and family who are unable to attend the services in person are welcome to view them remotely. Click here then enter meeting ID 847 7686 9151 and passcode 760831.
The family would like to express their profound gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at IHC. Their kindness, compassion and professionalism were exemplary as they did everything they could to help Verden during his time in the hospital.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Verden’s online guest book.