Lena Minda Pugh Hansen

Live. Love. Laugh. That was the motto that Lena Hansen lived out every day.

Lena Minda Pugh Hansen was born on February 01, 1923, to William Edwin (“Doc”) Pugh and Lavina Dorcas Stevens Pugh on their homestead 5 miles east of Holyoke, Colorado. Growing up during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression did not dim her outlook, though. At the age of 19, she moved to Idaho for a short time before going on to California. There she did modeling and retail work. While in California, she met Miles Arthur White, II; on January 2, 1944, they were united in marriage. To that union were born two children, Miles Arthur White, III, and Minda Leigh White.

Lena was truly a “people person.” She was never happier than when she was with friends or when she was making new friends. During her working life, she was a bookkeeper, worked in Insurance and was an office manager. After retirement, she missed being out in the public, so she worked as a demonstrator in food stores well into her seventies.

Eventually, Lena met the love of her life, Wesley Hansen; and they married in 1998. They enjoyed square dancing, and they traveled to square dance festivals all over the country. They also enjoyed fishing; Lena never passed up an opportunity to go on a fishing trip.

After being widowed in 2001, Lena was determined to enjoy life again and attended dances at different senior centers 3 or 4 times a week. She and her friend, Dodie Schmidt, also traveled extensively, sightseeing and going to Elvis Presley Tribute concerts in several states. She was a long-time member of the Elks Club and the Polka Lovers Club of America, Colorado. Even after she could no longer drive, her good friend, Peggy Watson, made sure Lena could still attend those dances whenever possible. Lena always kept busy, always looked forward, and enjoyed visiting friends and neighbors, playing bunco, and dancing.

Lena lived independently until she was 99 years old. After moving to Life Care of Westminster in August of 2023, she made many new friends. She loved participating in her exercise classes, playing Uno with her group of friends, and, of course, playing Bingo, a game in which she always played at least two cards. Lena celebrated her 101st birthday on February 1st of this year with a party, featuring two of her favorite things: Jim Erlich playing Polka music and eating chocolate cake with friends.

On Monday, March 4, 2024, Lena passed away peacefully. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Wes, her two brothers, Willard and Walter Pugh, and her beloved daughter Minda Hamilton and her adored son-in-law, Ron Hamilton. She leaves behind to mourn her passing her cherished son, Miles Arthur White, III, of Arvada, two grandsons Raymond and Richard Hamilton whom she adored, of Palmdale, California, a niece and three nephews, and a host of wonderful friends. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Life Care of Westminster. Internment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery.