Helen R. Hanger

Helen R. Hanger, 92, passed away October 22, 2015 at home in McMinnville, Oregon. She was born March 25, 1923 in Fort Recovery, Ohio to Alvah Rudolph Resler and Virginia Elizabeth (Charles) Thomas. After earning her nursing degree from Miami Valley Hospital School of Nursing in Dayton Ohio, she headed West with a camping trailer in tow. She and another RN had a private care job waiting for them in Tucson. She met Irving Samuel Hanger the first day in Tucson after a long day visiting Mexico. She lived and worked as an RN in Tucson, Arizona and San Luis Obispo, California. She married Irving S. Hanger July 29, 1948. They moved to Oregon in 1949 where they resided in Woodburn, Salem, Amity, and McMinnville. She worked at the State Hospital, in the ER at Salem General Hospital, and the McMinnville Hospital. Helen was a retired RN and previous co-owner of two livestock auction businesses in McMinnville and Corvallis. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she made certain that old friends and new faces were greeted with a friendly handshake and a welcoming smile. Through the years she volunteered at church and delivered meals on wheels. Humbleness and treating others with compassion were qualities that she embodied and took action in her own private way - not for glory or recognition she had empathy for downtrodden. Helen was quick to lend a helping hand and never short on conversation. A quick wit, smile, chuckle, or laughter were sure to follow. Gracious, humorous and entertaining with the ability to calmly handle almost any problem. She loved her kids, often expressing it with baked goodies asking, have you eaten lately? Did you get enough to eat? She also loved garage sales and would delight in a great find. She always had extra practical supplies like a blanket or towel or bag or travel cup if you needed anything for your journey home. To include a sandwich! You never left empty handed! She enjoyed animals, gardening, reading, pinochle, genealogy, and her swimming group. She is survived by her son, John and wife Paula Hanger of Fallon, Nevada, daughters, Barbara Hanger of Maui, Hawaii, and Doris Hanger of McMinnville; granddaughter, Ashley Payne of Camas, Washington; step-granddaughters, Paris and Dusty Ham of Winnemucca, Nevada, and Savannah and James Gonzalez of Star, Idaho; and great-grandchildren, Madyson, Merisa, and Sephra.