Gary Hafen

Gary Bowler Hafen, age 85, died Wednesday, January 22, 2020 in his hometown of Mesquite, Nevada. He was born February 2, 1934 in St. George, Utah to Maxwell and Emma Estella Bowler Hafen. On September 11, 1954 he was sealed to his sweetheart Monta Louise Woods in the St. George LDS Temple.

Gary grew up in Mesquite where he graduated from Virgin Valley High School. He served as a captain of artillery in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. Education was very important to Gary. He earned his Bachelors Degree from University of Nevada Reno, his Master’s Degree from BYU and his Doctorate from USC. He enjoyed a career in elementary education, teaching young minds and later in administration. He raised his family in Las Vegas but moved back home to Mesquite in 2003.

Gary loved serving in the church. He served as Ward Bishop, in the High Priest Group Leadership, in Scouting and in the Temple. He enjoyed working with his wife on a two year mission with the Las Vegas Mission President. His passion was in researching and writing about his family history. He enjoyed piloting his own plane and raising beef cattle.

Survivors include his wife, Monta of Mesquite; three sons and two daughters: Brad (Lena) of Roosevelt, UT; Sondra (Jay) Holmstead of American Fork, UT; Diana (Beau) Strickler of Hurricane, UT; Bret (Lorie); Scott both of Mesquite, NV; 22 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren; two brothers: Tim Hafen of Pahrump, NV; Douglas (Ann) of St. George, UT and one sister in law, Dawn Hafen of Mesquite. He was preceded in death by one brother, Bryan.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mesquite Stake Center, 100 N. Arrowhead Lane, Mesquite, NV. Visitation will be Friday, January 31, 2020 from 6 - 8 p.m. and again Saturday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 prior to services at the chapel. Interment will follow in the Mesquite City Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com