Carolyn K. Hansen, 73
Carolyn K Hansen age 73 of Nashua, IA died Friday, May 1, 2020, at her home surrounded by her family.
A private family funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at the United Methodist Church in Nashua with Rev. John Tunnicliff and Rev. Okitakoyi Lundula celebrating the service. There will also be a Celebration of Life at a later date.
A drive through visitation will be held Tuesday, May 5, 2020 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Nashua.
Carolyn Kay Hansen was born on Sept. 14, 1946, in Charles City to Melvin and Madonna (Guthart) Venz, and she grew up on a farm near Charles City.
She attended schools in Charles City and was a member of Charles City High School’s Class of 1964, and she began working at White Farm in Charles City. Soon after graduating, she met Richard Hansen as he and his pals “scooped the loop” and it was a fortuitous meeting. The couple began to date, fell in love and were married on Sept. 10, 1966 at the Congregational Church of Charles City.
It was a beautiful marriage, one that produced four children, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, and Carolyn taught them all to work hard but also to make time for play.
She worked as a bus driver, helped Richard on the farm, was employed at Darlene’s Bridal Shop before becoming a custodian at Nashua-Plainfield Community Schools.
Carolyn and her husband moved several times early in their marriage, and at each new house, they welcomed their children. Tami was born in 1967, Kim in 1968, Shawna in 1972 and Jason in 1977. More than anything she was a woman who passionately believed in her family.
It wasn’t just the annual vacations, it was telling them stories — like Herbie the Pet Mountain Lion, a tale she shared with her grandchildren and “greats” as well. It was her talent for multi-tasking — putting another great dinner on the table while helping her husband on the farm. It was the snowmobiling trips she took. It was the nights when the family gathered to do a little boating. It was just Mom being mom.
Carolyn loved to travel. She visited Hawaii, but probably her favorite trips were to see the “shows” in Branson, Missouri. She also was a woman of deep faith, and she founded the Friendship Circle, the Republic Church’s women’s fellowship group. She also played Santa Claus for years at the church. If you went to the Hansens’ home, there was a good chance you’d hear polka music, especially Mollie B. She made the best pie, period, and it was impossible to leave Carolyn’s home hungry.
Her 11 grandchildren range in ages between 9 and 33 and the oldest of the 11 great-grandchildren is 9 and the youngest is 6 months, and Carolyn loved them all. She never — and we mean never, ever — missed their events and was their biggest supporter.
She loved the annual trip the Hansen family took to a Minnesota Vikings game because not only was she a fan of the Vikings but because it was a family event.
Carolyn has been fighting cancer for five years, and she showed her family what the true meaning of courage was during her battle. She kept mowing the lawn — let’s just say she was very particular about her yard — playing cards with family and friends, taking Christmas shopping trips and, of course, enjoying girls weekend shopping trips.
Carolyn Hansen was one of a kind. Less than a couple of months ago, nothing was going to keep her from watching her great-grandson and great-granddaughter wrestle at the AAU state tournament. She may be the only grandma who ever had a pink mohawk haircut, but that was her laughing in cancer’s face.
She touched so many lives — doctors and nurses said “I love you” to her — and Carolyn’s family will always be grateful to them and their community for the support they gave the Hansen family.
Her gallant fight has come to an end, and there’s a sense of sadness that she will no longer read “Grandmother’s Book of Promises,” yet for Richard, her four children, all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her many friends there is a sense of peace that Carolyn is home with Jesus. They will be forever grateful for the memories they made with Carolyn.
Carolyn is survived by her husband Richard Hansen of Nashua, IA; four children, Tami (Steve) Sudol, Kim (Mark) Walk, Shawna (David) DePuew, Jason (Marisa) Hansen all of Nashua, IA; eleven grandchildren, Chad (Sarah) Sudol, Chase (Olivia) Sudol, Brianna (Matt) Bryan, Amanda (Ben) Tiedt, Collin (Melissa) Sudol, Austin (Jamie Benda) Walk, Taylor (Ashley Peterson) Walk, Dayton Hansen, Shaylee Hansen, Jase Hansen, Jaxson Hansen; eleven great-grandchildren; one brother Ron (Marilyn) Venz of Charles City, one sister-in-law Linda (Gerald) Smith of Nashua, IA; two nieces; two nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Madonna Venz; a sibling at birth; parents-in-law Fred and Maxine Hansen; one niece Kendra McCall.
