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SALT LAKE CITY — Former Utah first lady Colleen Monson Bangerter passed away at her home on Friday night from Alzheimer’s disease. She was 76 years old. She was Utah’s first lady from 1985 to 1993.
She married Norm Bangerter right out of high school, and a week later he received orders from Uncle Sam to report to the 39th Parallel in Korea.
"He likes to tell the story that when they heard him coming they immediately signed the armistice,'' she said in an interview in 1988.
I feel very strongly about those issues. Young people are our future, and we have to ensure that future for our next generation. I am going to do all I can to make sure they have a good education and safe future.
–Colleen Bangerter
The sunny blonde, with a smile that gave new emphasis to the word "energetic,'' had been an active first lady. In fact, her zeal for community service had her attacking such tough issues as teenage pregnancy, drug prevention and child abuse.
She was an honorary chairwoman of both the Utah Federation for Drug Free Youth and the Chapter for the Prevention of Child Abuse. But unlike other prominent people, her involvement meant more than lending her name to a good cause.
Concerned about the increase in child-abuse cases in Utah, she personally lobbied the 1988 Legislature during the last hours to ensure a bill addressing the problem was passed.
"I feel very strongly about those issues. Young people are our future, and we have to ensure that future for our next generation,'' she said. "I am going to do all I can to make sure they have a good education and safe future.''
"She was a truly remarkable first lady and wonderful human being," Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said in a written statement.
"She was always kind to all she met and made people feel special with her bright smile and warm personality," Hatch said.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert called her "an extraordinary first lady of Utah," and said she was every bit equal to Gov. Bangerter in her public service.
She was a truly remarkable first lady and wonderful human being. She was always kind to all she met and made people feel special with her bright smile and warm personality.
–Orrin Hatch
Mrs. Bangerter hosted a yearly drug awareness conference for youth statewide. The conference grew from 500 youth who attended the first year to 11,000 teens who came from every corner of the state.
She received several honors for her years of campaigning for the rights and well-being of children. She was honored by the Children's Museum of Utah and received awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Utah National Guard and the University of Utah among others for her efforts to prevent youth drug abuse.
"Colleen was a brilliant ambassador for the state of Utah and set the standard for first ladies in our state," Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, said in a press release. "She was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly to make the world a better place."
Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, was saddened to learn of her death. "Mrs. Bangerter's work on the issue of substance abuse by young people is an important legacy to the citizens of Utah that she served."
The Bangerters raised six children and one foster son. Mrs. Bangerter was also involved in the PTA and other organizations while raising her children.
They now have 30 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
She also served with her husband from 1996 to 1999 as they presided over the Johannesburg South Africa Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. at the South Jordan Utah Parkway Stake Center at 9894 S. 2700 West. There will be a viewing before the funeral service from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the evening before from 6 to 8 p.m. at the stake center.
Email: vvo-duc@ksl.com
