When Mail Needed a Face — and Utah Sent Deana
Deana Johansen Bawden — Utah’s “Miss Zip” and our Sweetheart
Remember when you could write a letter with nothing more than a name, a city, and maybe “Utah” at the end — and somehow, almost magically, it would find its way to the right person? For decades, local postmasters and carriers knew their routes and residents so well that even a vague address often made it to its intended doorstep.
But as America’s population grew, neighborhoods expanded, and technology advanced, the U.S. Postal Service realized it needed a faster, more efficient way to sort and deliver the rising tide of mail. In 1963, the ZIP Code system was introduced — a five-digit number that became the key to modern mail delivery. By the early 1970s, the Postal Service began a national campaign to teach Americans to “Use ZIP Code for Faster Mail!”
And that’s where Utah’s own Deana Johansen stepped into the story.
In 1973, Deana, a 21-year-old letter-sorting machine operator at the Salt Lake City Post Office, was chosen as the state’s official representative — Utah’s “Miss Zip.” She became the smiling, friendly face of the ZIP Code campaign across Utah, visiting schools, appearing at public events, and encouraging everyone to include their ZIP Code on every letter and package.
Deana was the daughter of Moroni and Mrs. Johansen, who lived at 1855 West 5400 South in Bennion. She grew up surrounded by the warmth and hard work that defined life in the Granger–Hunter–Kearns area. A graduate of Kearns High School, Deana was known for her bright spirit, beauty, and kindness. Before her time with the Postal Service, she worked for several years at the beloved J&T Frostop Drive-In on 3500 South, where her cheerful personality and friendly service made her a local favorite.
Her life took an artistic and community-centered turn when she married Dee Jay Bawden, a talented local sculptor from 3500 South who attended Valley Junior High and Granger High. Even as a teenager, Dee Jay. made a mark on the community by sculpting the seven-foot Mustang statue that became West Lake Junior High’s mascot, a symbol that generations of students remember with pride.
Together, Deana and Dee Jay Bawden embodied the energy and creativity of the are early decades — she, with her public warmth and service; he, with his gifted hands and artistic vision. Their marriage united two strong community legacies — a pairing of charm, talent, and enduring local pride.
Today, photographs of Deana Johansen Bawden as “Miss Zip” — poised with her sash, crown, and winning smile — remind us of a more personal era of mail and message. Her story is a joyful snapshot of Utah history, capturing the moment when hometown heart met national change, and one bright young woman became the face of a movement that would forever change the way America sent its letters.
