Ruth A. Hansen

Ruth (Russell) Hansen, 86, of Satellite Beach, died Saturday September 28, 2019 at VITAS hospice center in Rockledge, surrounded by her beloved Fran and a host of family members. She fought valiantly for many years against Alzheimer's; but the after-effects of a fall related to her disability led to her passing. Ruth was born July 19, 1933, on a farm near Princeton, Missouri, to Bert and Madge Russell. She is survived by her loving husband Francis (Fran) Hansen; brother-in-law Ralph Schumacher, sister-in-law Sharon Delisio, Sheila Hansen, nephews Steve and Scott Schumacher and Louis Delisio; nieces Dana (Schumacher) Wilson, Lisa (Delisio) Martinese and Annette (Delisio) Gans; granddaughters Lori Barranon, Gina Matchok, Wendy Simms, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Bert and Madge Russell; sister Joyce (Russell) Schumacher; her brother-in-law Louis Delisio; her beloved sons David and Jeffrey Hansen; her youngest son Gregory Hansen whom the Lord claimed as his special Angel at birth; and her in-laws Bernard and Bernice Hansen. Ruth grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Wyandotte High School. While in attendance there, Fran (a junior to Ruth's sophomore) locked eyes with the petite brown-eyed Ruth Russell at exactly 8:45am on Wednesday February 3rd, 1949, and his fate was sealed. Ruth had an effect on Fran from that moment on and it was the stuff romance books are written from, for they never wavered in their affection for one another from that point on; yes, there is such a thing as love at first sight. Fran and Ruth were married on July 27, 1952, in Kansas City KS and recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Ruth was a loving wife and mother, dedicating herself to her family while making a home for them in each new place they were transferred to due to Fran's job. They moved around many times, starting originally in Kansas, then on to Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Most women would find this a daunting task with 2 boys in tow, but not Ruth. She ended up meeting many life-long friends along the way and immersing herself and family into each community they resided in. Fran retired in 1989, and in 1994 they made the decision to move to Satellite Beach to be closer to both of their families who lived in the area. While in Florida Ruth began painting, taking lessons from her sister Joyce (a distinguished artist and gallery owner in Melbourne at the time.) Although she got a late start at painting, she quickly became an accomplished painter in her own right, and enjoyed it immensely. Ruth continued painting and bravely struggled with the effects of Alzheimer's for many years, and the unwavering care and compassion people witnessed from Fran towards his "precious" was a sight to behold and a lesson to all to honor their spouse "in sickness and in health," as spoken in their wedding vows. As a couple they reveled in the good times while travelling overseas and cruising, and consoled one another when they lost their parents and each of their sons far too soon. Through good times and bad they weathered the storms and remained faithful and attentive to each other's needs throughout their life together. Ruth was very active in the First Christian Church of Melbourne and as a volunteer at Daily Bread Soup Kitchen for many years. She was a devoted friend to many, and a strong woman of faith who persevered through the last 10 years with the love and support of her loving husband. For this reason, we ask that in Ruth's memory, that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation to help in the fight against this dreaded disease that robbed us of our beautiful Ruth, or to the Shriners' Children's Hospital, a favorite charity of Ruth.