Shirley Hansen

Shirley Marilyn Hansen, 87, of Cedar Falls, formerly of Reinbeck, passed away on July 24, 2019, at Mercy One Hospital in Waterloo. A visitation will be held on Monday, July 29, from 5-7 PM at French-Hand Chapel in Reinbeck. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 30, at 10:30 AM at Union Congregational Church of Christ in Reinbeck with Reverend Joel Love officiating. Visitation will resume from the evening prior at 9:30 AM at the church. Interment will be at Reinbeck City Cemetery in Reinbeck.  Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice. Abels Funeral and Cremation Service, French-Hand Chapel is taking care of Shirley and her family. Online messages of condolences may be made at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Shirley Hansen (Jensen) was born on June 25, 1932, in Black Hawk County to her parents Wilhelm and Anna (Gillespie) Jensen. She attended rural country school until the 8th grade, then attended Reinbeck High School, graduating with the class of 1950. Shirley attended the Iowa State Teacher’s College after graduating and taught for a year in Riceville. While attending college, she was introduced to George D. Hansen on a blind date; it must have worked out, because they were married on May 10, 1953, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Shirley and George moved around briefly before settling on the farm in rural Voorhies where George farmed and sold Pioneer seed corn. Shirley spent most of her time as a mother; she and George were blessed with three children Allen, Garry, and Sharilyn.

Shirley loved spending time with her family and having get-togethers, she didn’t like to cook much, so she enjoyed dining out or having someone else cook for the gatherings. She enjoyed taking photos and sharing memories with others, amassing quite the photography collection. She and George spent 13 years wintering in Pharr Texas. Shirley enjoyed satisfying her “sweet tooth” and liked sneaking candy bars, frosties, and malts. She enjoyed being doted upon in her later years and associating with the other residents at the Western Home and playing bingo.

Shirley is survived by her loving children Allen (Connie) Hansen of Reinbeck, Garry (Colleen) Hansen of rural Hudson, and Sharilyn (Ken) Darst of Cedar Falls; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband George.