We are thankful for a lady like Zina Hanks. She was born and raised in Spring Lake, Utah. She will be 90 on July 12, 2014, and has enjoyed good health up until the end of September when she suffered a slight stroke.
She and her husband Gale were married in 1942 and settled in Salem. They met when he was courting her older sister. Then he asked her out. He didn't have a car so he would "thumb" from Salem to Spring Lake to see her. He eventually bought a car that had a rumble seat. This was the vehicle they had when they got married. Zina said she learned to drive by backing the car out of the driveway and then pulling it back in. She did admit she drove for several years before getting her drivers license.
Gale worked at U.S. Steel (Geneva) for 39 years. He passed away in 1992. They were married for 49 years. They had four boys and four girls: Larry, Val, Jim, Ned, Mary Ann, Gaylen, Joilynn, and Kathy. They have 12 granddaughters, 12 grandsons, and 40 great grandchildren. Their oldest son, Larry, was born on their first wedding anniversary. She said this was her anniversary gift to Gale.
When Zina as 40-years-old she attended Hollywood Beauty College. She became a beautician and opened Hanks Beauty Haven. Galed turned their carport into a shop for her. She was a beautician for over 30 years.
She said Gale loved to dance and whistle. They would attend dances held at the elementary school all the time. She belonged to the Ladies Riding Club of Salem and Gale belonged to the Wahoo Riding Club. They only had one horse, so when it came to riding in parades Gale got to participate.
Zina is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has served as the Ward Relief Society President under Bishop Clark Nelson, Stake Relief Society President, the Ward Primary President, a Primary teacher and taught in the MIA Young Women. From Frebuary 1993 to August 1994 she served a mission to Washington D.C. where she taught English to the Asian people. She really enjoyed this experience and still keeps in touch with one sister, Shawn Own, whom she taught. After returning from her mission she continued to be a beautician for a few years. She worked as a Temple Worker in the Provo Temple for 19 years but had to quit when she got penumonia in October 2012.
Zina has traveled to Germany, France, England, toured Church History sites in the Eastern United States and some areas closer to home with some of her children. She said her children have been very good to her.
Zina has helped with the Salem Days Quilt Show, and helped with programs for the Sr. Citizens dinners. She is a beautiful quilter and has pieced and quilted a quilt for each of her grandchildren when they married. She loves to paint ceramics, do hand work, knit, crochet, and read. Her favorite pastime is quilting. She has pieced a quilt top for each of her granddaughters.
Her favorite holidays are Easter with a family Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas when her family gets together for a party.
She loved raising her family in Salem where they could walk to school without any worry. She appreciates the Police enforcement. She had and has special friends, Russell and Marie Christensen and Andy and Verna Taylor.
Zina, thanks for sharing your talents with the citizens of Salem.
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