Latah County
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June 2, 1917 ~ June 26, 2012
Mildred Hansen, 95, entered the gates of heaven June 26, 2012, in Coeur d'Alene, of age-related infirmities. She was the eldest of three children, born on the family farm June 2, 1917, in Cameron, to Carl and Anna Wegner.
Mickey attended Cameron Grade School, followed by high school in Kendrick, graduating in 1934 at the top of her class. Three girls with the name Mildred attended her high school: one remained Mildred, the second became Millie, and the third Mickey, a name that she retained throughout her life. Following high school, and in the depths of the Great Depression, Mickey lived with her aunt and uncle in Spokane, where she worked as a server at the Spokane Country Club.
Her parents moved from Cameron to Pullman in 1938, and upon building their home there, Mickey returned to Pullman from Spokane. During the construction of that home, Mickey met Lenard Hansen, who was finishing their hardwood floors. This chance meeting, ultimately hastened by the onset of World War II, resulted in their marriage July 11, 1942, at Ballard Lutheran Church in Ballard, Wash. Just three days later, Lenard shipped out to the European Theater, returning to his new bride in October 1945, more than three years after their marriage.
The couple settled in Pullman, where Lenard opened a cabinet shop and Mickey provided excellent homecare for scores of children. Their son, Ron, was born Oct. 15, 1946, and daughter Barbara was born Aug. 8, 1953. Mickey loved homemaking; she served delicious meals daily, canned the fruits and vegetables she grew, picked huckleberries for jam with her sister Sally (where giggles frequently outnumbered the berries harvested), and made lefsa for the holidays. Neither dust nor cobwebs stayed long in the Hansen household; her children remember her ironing everything, including their underwear. And her grandchildren enjoyed home-sewn flannel pajamas every Christmas for years.
Once Ron and Barbara were in school full-time, Mickey began working outside the home, first as a cook at Franklin Elementary School for 10 years, followed later by a multiyear stint as a bookkeeper at Pullman Travel. Beginning with her arrival in Pullman in 1938, Mickey was a faithful and active member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 60 years. She and Lenard moved to Coeur d'Alene in 2002 to be near their daughter, Barbara, who lovingly cared for her parents. Four years later, Lenard died; he and Mickey had been married 64 years.
Mickey's family wishes to acknowledge the thoughtful and considerate care provided to her while a resident of Legends Assisted Living in Coeur d'Alene. It is there that she made friends with many, especially with Lois and Dorothy, whose friendships sustained her to the end of her life; to them we give special thanks. We also express deep gratitude to the staff at Hospice House who tended to Mickey with tenderness and grace in her final days.
Mickey was a faithful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She is survived by sister Sally Hoffman, Burlington, Wash.; brother Ed (Charmaine) Wegner, The Dalles, Ore.; son Ron (Barbara) Hansen, San Jose, Calif.; daughter Barbara (Ron) Harvey, Coeur d'Alene; grandchildren Jake (Michelle), Raen (Thomas), Christian (Joanna), Jamie and Peter (Becca); great-grandchildren Xavier, Taylor, Macey, Kai, Keira and Nash; and nieces and nephews Diane, Coni, Camille, Marcella, Steve, Kathy, Larry, Candice and James.
A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Pullman Cemetery. The memorial service celebrating Mildred's life will follow at noon at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1300 N.E. Lybecker St., Pullman. Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman is caring for the family.
Memorials may be made in Mickey's name to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835. Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfh.com.
Lewiston Tribune, June 28, 2012, p. 5C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock
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