Bryan K Hafen passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at his home in Mesquite, Nevada following a several year battle with Parkinson’s disease and a stroke.
Bryan Hafen was born April 10, 1938 in St. George, Utah, the third son of Max and Estelle Bowler Hafen. He was a lifelong resident of Mesquite and grew up working on the family farm with his father and brothers. Bryan attended Virgin Valley Elementary and High School and attended what is now Southern Utah University where he met his
sweetheart Dawn Nelson.
Bryan loved agriculture, working with the cattle and growing alfalfa and other crops. As a result of his love of farming, Bryan was active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and was chosen as the Nevada State Future Farmers of America President his senior year of high school, he was then selected to serve as the National FFA Vice President for the 11 Western United States. During these travels he was able to meet several key industrial and business leaders, highlighted by a visit to the White House and meeting President Dwight D. Eisenhower. These experiences sparked interests beyond agriculture and led to the decision to run for and win a seat in the 1960 Nevada State Assembly at age 22. He was the youngest
person ever elected at that time to the legislature. During the 1960’s he served 4 terms in the legislature losing only the 1964 election as a result of the Johnson landslide.
Bryan was proud to be a native Nevadan and had a great love for Mesquite. Following his service in the Nevada legislature, he focused entirely on the family’s dairy and farming operations, trying to take more of the load from his father, helping to expand the dairy herd and acquiring additional land for the farming operations. In 1974, he was selected as 1 of 4 Outstanding Young Farmers in the United States. A big thanks goes to Humberto Lara, Clemencio Rangel, Lynn Duke, LaVoy Hafen, Oscar Christensen, and the Marden Spencer family as well as many others who were so vital to the success of Hafen Dairy.
Bryan was preceded in death by his parents Max and Estelle Hafen, daughter-in-law Kimberly Overson Hafen and grandson Maxwell Cody Hafen. He is survived by his devoted wife Dawn Nelson Hafen and his sons Nelson (Laurel), Derek (Kim), Kraig (Susan), Merlin (Victoria), Tilman (Jennifer) and brothers Tim (Janet), Gary (Monta),
and Doug (Ann) and sister in law Lora Dee Christensen of Las Vegas. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Mesquite LDS Stake Center on Arrowhead Lane, Saturday, September 16th at 12 noon. Viewings will be held on Friday, September 15th at the Mesquite Stake Center from 6-8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, September 16th from 10- 11:30 a.m.
What a great man, great family and a legacy that will live forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time of great sadness.
I loved Bryan as he use to come into Carquest and I got to know his whole family and hopefully I became good friends with them all I will miss him driving up to the back door and beeping his horn to get his parts. I will miss him very much. My love goes out to all his family..
Dawn I’m so sorry for your loss. The little bit we visited you and Bryan years ago was very special. Tom loved talking politics with Bryan.
To the family of Bryan Hafen sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
I would like to extend my condolences to the family. I am currently out of town traveling with my daughter and won’t be able to attend the services. I wanted to let the family know that my prayers are with you all. It is always hard to lose someone that we love. . Brain was a good man. He led by example. He legacy will live on through his family. He will be missed. I am truly sorry for you loss.