Jane Elizabeth Hanson

11.5pt,10.5pt Jane Elizabeth Haugen Hanson, 93, died January 26, 2010 at home surrounded by members of her family. The immediate cause of death was cancer of the colon. 11.5pt,10.5pt She was born in Chicago on October 31, 1916 to Sybil Kjersti Ylvisaker and the Reverend Clarence Ivar Haugen. Her father was pastor of the Lake View Lutheran Church, Chicago, from 1915 to 1918. He was then called to St. Stephens church in Canby MN where Jane and her younger sister, Margaret, grew up. After graduating Valedictorian from Canby High School, she returned to Chicago to attend Lake Forest College for the year 1935-1936, and then transferred to Luther College, Decorah IA, the college which her father had attended. She majored in History, and in Latin and Greek, graduating summa cum laude in 1938. 11.5pt,10.5pt It was while working in the Library at Luther that she met fellow student Kermit Hanson, whom she married in 1940. The wedding took place at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. They celebrated their 69 th wedding anniversary in 2009. She and Kermit were blessed with four children: James Stephen (1943), Katherine Jane (1946), Paul Richard (1952), and Daniel Gerhard (1954). Although busy with her family, she found time to serve as Vice-President of the University of Washington Faculty Wives, and to teach Sunday school. She loved music, playing organ for and singing in the choir of First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach. Jane had a wonderful sense of humor, and enjoyed appearing in costume; as Madame Butterfly, to her husbands Lieutenant Pinkerton, at a Masked Ball, in full Hawaiian dress at her 92 nd birthday/costume party and, most recently, as the Queen of Halloween at her unforgettable 93 rd birthday/costume party. She had incredible strength: of body, of spirit, and of faith. She is survived by her sister, her husband, her four children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She will live on in their stories, their memories, and their prayers. A Funeral service will be held at First Lutheran Church, 18354 8th Ave. NW, Shoreline, on February 15, at 11:00 am. Remembrances may be sent to First Lutheran Church or to the Compass Center, 77 S. Washington St., Seattle 98104.