Tuesday 3 September 2013

Lora Dianne Hansen Warnock

Lora was my roommate on and off through college and one of the best friends I've ever had.  We shared many adventures, tomfoolery, and spiritual experiences.  She helped me lay a strong foundation and helped me marry science and religion.  We served our missions at the same time and wrote regularly.  She was the first of our troupe to leave on that mission, and she has done it again.  When I can, I will write some of my memories of her.  I very torn up by this loss. She was/is beloved by so many, and I will miss her and regret not being better in touch at the end of her shortened life.

Lora Dianne Hansen Warnock
1971 ~ 2013
With heavy and full hearts, we announce the passing of Lora Dianne Hansen Warnock on August 30, 2013, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. 


Lora was born February 04, 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Edyth and Keith Hansen and was raised in Salt Lake City. As a young person she developed a love for figure skating and quickly discovered she was at home on the ice. She was a talented and committed figure skater throughout her youth. She graduated from Bingham High School in 1989 where she participated in numerous activities including cheerleading. 

In 1992, Lora made the decision to serve a mission and was called to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lisbon, Portugal. She served in the Azores as well as several areas in and around Lisbon. She loved her time as a missionary and she served faithfully in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Portugal. Her missionary service inspired and blessed her family significantly.

Lora studied at Brigham Young University and graduated with a B.S. in Psychology in 1996. She continued her education at Utah Valley Community College and graduated with a nursing degree in 1998. She worked for several years at Alta View Hospital Women's Center. The highlight of her time as a nurse was working for her father Dr. Keith Hansen. Nursing came naturally for Lora and she was blessed with an innate desire and ability to serve and help others. Her patient, kind, and down to earth personality endeared her to all who knew her. 


In September of 1999 Lora met her eternal sweetheart, Mathew Warnock. Even though he lived 1,500 miles away in Houston, Texas, the distance could not keep them apart. They were married in the Salt Lake City temple on September 23, 2000. Lora moved to Houston while Mat finished his orthopedic surgery training. They settled in Houston and began their family and were blessed with four beautiful children, Joshua, Rachel, Keith, and Kathleen. She served her family tirelessly and blessed all who knew her. Of all the titles she held, none was more important to her than that of Mother. She was adored by her husband and children and she loved each of them. 

Lora handled her sickness with the same beauty, grace, and faith that characterized her life. Her faith and strength, in the midst of overwhelming illness was inspiring. Even in her final days her thoughts and prayers remained focused on the well-being of her family. Although her family will miss her terribly, they know the truth of what she so faithfully taught them, they will see her again! 


Lora is survived by her loving husband, Mathew, and four beautiful children, Joshua, Rachel, Keith, and Kathleen, of Cypress, Texas. She is also survived by her five siblings, Kathy (Kenny), Jodie, Erik (Kristen), Brad (Katie) and Keith (Mandy). She is preceded in death by her parents, Keith and Edyth Hansen.


Graveside burial services will be held Saturday, September 14, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah at 12:00 p.m.


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