Hannele was born on October 29, 1935, to Sven and Hellevi Blomqvist in Viipuri, Finland. Her father was an officer in the Finnish Air Force, and Hannele experienced much hardship during and after the Soviets invaded Finland in World War II. After the war, Hannele lived in the city of Lahti, where she graduated from the gymnasium and passed her college matriculation exams.

At the age of 13, she met missionaries from America and became converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At age of 19, Hannele was called to a full-time mission. In addition to proselyting, she traveled the country establishing local Primary organizations for children. On her mission, Hannele met a brilliant but awkward young missionary from rural Downey, Idaho named Bert Wilson. After completing her mission, she enrolled in BYU and three months later she and Bert were married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 31, 1957.

Once her four children were of school age, Hannele completed her BA in Psychology and then an M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance from BYU. She worked for Utah County Community Services in Provo and was the first coordinator of the Asian Refugee Center in Logan. In her work and in her life, she was always able to show compassionate concern for others. Her life was in all ways an example of Christian discipleship, and her family never doubted her faith in the Savior Jesus Christ nor her great love for all of them.

Hannele was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Laila, and her beloved husband, William Albert Wilson. She leaves behind her children Laila (Brian) Anderson, Denise (Ralph) Jamsa, Sven Eric (Nancy) Wilson and Karl (Amy) Wilson, as well as sixteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 11am. Visitations will be Friday, Jan. 20, from 6-8 pm and Saturday from 9:30-10:30. The funeral and visitations will both be at 3050 Mojave Ln. in Provo, UT. Interment will be following the funeral at the Provo City Cemetery.

Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.uvfuneral.com.