Oct. 31, 1942-Sept. 30, 2023
Jan LaRaine Jackson Hansen, 80, died peacefully of complications from cancer Sept. 30, 2023, in Kanarraville, Utah, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Halloween day, Oct. 31, 1942, in Inglewood, California, to Wayne and Idona Jackson, where Wayne was serving in the Army Air Corps as a bomber pilot.
Her childhood was spent as a military family living between California and Florida, but Cedar has always been home. Jan has always had a beautiful singing voice and as a child, together with her two sisters would sing all over Southern Utah and were known as the “Jackson Sisters.” The sisters were always spotless in white, ironed, ruffled dresses with hair curled and shoes polished. Jan attended Cedar City High School serving as student body vice president, and then after getting married went on to attend BYU, eventually earning enough credits for a bachelor’s degree.
On Dec. 28, 1960, Jan married Ramon Graff Berg Prestwich, and their lives involved attending school in the winters and farming in Kanarraville in the summers, settling in Cedar City after completing school. Together they had four children, and the whole family worked on the farm raising grain, hay and cattle where Jan learned to drive swathers, bailers, trucks, tractors and other equipment. During this time, they also built a cabin at Navajo Lake where she enjoyed time and built timeless memories with her children.
In 1976 Jan and Idona purchased a laundromat in Cedar City together. It was during this time her marriage dissolved and Jan purchased the full share of the business and renamed it Raindance Laundromat. In 1980 she built a home in Cedar City for her family and was very busy with her four children and the business. In 1986 Jan sold the laundromat to her son Shane and purchased Jackson Dry Cleaners from her father. She excelled in business expanding to include a full dry-cleaning plant in both St. George and Cedar City as well as a satellite store in Bloomington.
In 1988 Jan married Bob Hansen and together they built a wonderful life together that would last 35 years. Together they ran businesses and made home improvements that provided a loving and supportive environment resulting in timeless memories with kids and grandkids. Jan and Bob also purchased/rebuilt a home in Beaver Dam, Arizona, to enjoy warm weather with the kids in the swimming pool, and to spend weekends and holidays together. In 2002 she sold the dry cleaning businesses and other expansion properties she had acquired which allowed her to focus more on what she really enjoyed, painting art. From early adulthood, Jan had a unique artistic ability with drawings and oil paints.
By 1999 Jan and Bob were spending most of their time in Beaver Dam where Jan was working at Beaver Dam elementary school as a classroom aid, receptionist, school nurse, food handler and audio specialist. It was at this time that Jan learned of art classes in the area and began lessons and practicing painting. She started a unique art business growing and decorating dreamcatcher gourds and was most intrigued with watercolors. Jan has won many awards for her artwork and is currently the Signature Artist at Gallery 35 in St. George. She served on the BODs of several art organizations and exhibits in local galleries. She has been active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attended the Saint George Temple in 2015.
She is survived by her husband Bob, children Shane (Elaine) Prestwich of Cedar City, Utah, Sy (Darlene) Prestwich of Riverton, Utah, Sam (Becky) Prestwich of Delta, Utah, Janae (Mike) Carpenter of Kanarraville, Utah, and sisters Sally Melling and Deon (Larry) Robb. Jan and Bob are survived by 21 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Wayne Gordon Jackson and Idona Bowen Jackson Taillon, baby sister Deborah and two stepchildren Karen Hansen Hensley and Craig Hansen.
All services will be held at the Kanarraville Ward Church Building, 80 S. Main St. There will be an evening viewing Friday, Oct. 7, from 5-7 p.m., and a second viewing Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The funeral service begins at 11 a.m.
Interment will follow at the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Heartlight Affordable Funeral Services where a livestream of Jan’s service and online condolences may be found.