Yvonne Hansen, 86

Yvonne Hansen passed away Sept. 26, 2010, in Spokane, Wash., with her loving family by her side. She was born March 27, 1924, in Tyvan, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her family moved to Flaxton, N.D., the same year. Yvonne attended school in Flaxton. She was active in track and music, singing in the glee club, and playing snare drum in the marching band. She married Harry Hansen of Flaxton, in Plentywood, on Aug. 23, 1942. Harry and Yvonne lived in Hobbs, N.M., while Harry was stationed in the Army Air Corps. They moved to Kalispell after he was discharged. Yvonne and Harry opened an electrical contracting business in Kalispell and Yvonne managed the office. Yvonne and Harry were members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell and Yvonne sang in the choir, taught Sunday and Bible school and made many crafts for the bazaars. Yvonne worked as a Welcome Wagon hostess and led a Girl Scout troop for each of her daughters. She became active in Democratic politics, serving as president of and regional director for the local women s club and a central committee precinct person. She managed an office in Kalispell for Sen. John Melcher until Harry s retirement in 1986. The couple loved to camp and had many fun trips with their family over the years, graduating from a tent to a 26-foot RV. Yvonne took pride in being the principal driver for their winter trips down south. They owned property on Montana s Swan Lake and had many wonderful times there. Harry passed away in April of 1990, and two years later Yvonne moved to Spokane to be near her daughters. Yvonne loved traveling and continued to drive the RV, with her beloved dog, Fritzi, by her side. Yvonne was a member of Central Lutheran Church, where she created crafts for the annual bazaar and decorated for various functions. Yvonne treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved working in her garden, birdwatching, crafts, reading and dancing. Her friends and family will especially miss her wonderful sense of humor and smile. She will be greatly missed by her brother, Ralph Halverson, of San Diego; daughters, Sharon Rumley of Spokane, Linda Hansen of Olympia, Wash., and Carol and Chris Morlock of Spokane; grandchildren, Jennifer and David Christenson of Middlefield, Conn., David and Linda Rumley of Oakland, Calif., April Morlock of Spokane, Karmen and Andy Mitchell of Fort Collins, Colo., Christopher Willey and Acacia Willey of Seattle, and Taylor Morlock of Spokane; great-grandchildren, Eli and Emily Christenson of Middlefield, and Evangelia Morlock of Spokane; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; and three sisters. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Central Lutheran Church, 512 S. Bernard, in Spokane, with Pastor Gail Duba officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, 1004 E. Eighth, Spokane, WA 99202, or the Spokane Humane Society, 6607 N. Havana St., Spokane, WA 99217.