Patricia Lynn Truhn

Patricia Lynn Hansen was born on May 28, 1944, in Michigan City, Indiana. She passed away on March 10, 2026, at 81 Years of age. Her parents were Richard and Lucile Hansen. She spent her teenage years living at Hudson Lake, Indiana, where she learned to swim, waterski, fish and ice skate. At her High School graduation, she won the Betty Crocker Home Making award. This was probably due more to her mother teaching her to knit, cook and sew than school because she only took science and math classes. In the French horn section of Junior High Band, she met Gene Truhn and about 9 years later she married him on June 5, 1965, as they were nearing graduation from Purdue University. She taught sixth grade school for a few years before switching to social work. She was a Social Worker at Logansport State Hospital for 14 years and became the treatment team leader of the most active residential unit. Continuing her education, she worked at the hospital and the community mental health center in Logansport, IN, until she received her PhD in Psychology from Ball State University in 1989. Later that year she and Gene moved to North Logan, Utah. Pat was employed at the Community Family Partnership project at Utah State University. She taught some classes, mostly in  psychological assessment and report writing, and mentored graduate students. She retired from USU in 2010 but continued to work as a consultant for Social Security Disability for another 3 years. 

While doing school and work, she had 2 children, helped build and landscape 3 homes, and always had a garden and flowers. She mastered stain glass work, making several large panels. She mastered cycling, backpacking and alpine, telemark and cross-country skiing. Pat explored the Uinta Mountains, Rocky Mountains and the Wind Rivers with her backpack. Her first trip abroad was with her family to Chamonix, France, for skiing and a tour of Italy. Her second trip was to China in 1999. Many trips followed over the years including skiing in Europe and a bicycle tour of the Netherlands. She enjoyed other travels around the states and to more than 13 countries including  Southeast Asia, Iceland, India, the Galapagos Islands and a safari in Kenya. She earned advanced certifications in scuba diving and logged over 165 dives in the Caribbean islands and Florida. Pat loved road cycling around Cache Valley and mountain biking in the surrounding canyons. Pat rode on many supported week-long bike tours in over 9 different states and several self-supported tours. She loved to paddle the cedar strip canoe she helped make or her sea kayak. She paddled on several multiday camping trips including on the Sea of Cortés, in Yellowstone National Park and on Utah’s Green River. Pat combined her travels and diving with digital photography. She attended several photography workshops around the west and completed her work with editing, printing, matting and framing her photos. Pat loved animals. She had many cats and dogs over the years but especially loved her Weimaraners; Quincey, Smoke and Harley. She learned about working dogs as she trained Smoke for search and rescue.

Pat had several places and adventures on her to do list when Alzheimer’s disease cut her off. For a woman who loved experiencing the world in nearly every way possible, this disease is especially destructive. It takes away your capacities and memories long before you give up on life. In her first years at Legacy House’s Cottage, she was known for walking as much as she could. She helped with the flowers. She loved it when animals would visit.

She is survived by her partner for 60 years, Gene; their son, Jeff and Mitzi Truhn, Boise, ID, their daughter, Karen and Shannon Churchill, Corona, CA; 4 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Her sister, Marsha (Hansen) Mulroony, lives in Washington, Indiana. A special thanks to Pat’s close friend, Nancy Sassano, who was a wonderful support for Pat and the family throughout this journey. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.