Anne Hansen

Anne M. Hansen, 93, a long-time resident of Gettysburg, South Dakota, passed away May 28, 2016, in Overland Park, KS.

Memorial services was held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 2, 2016 at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding. Burial followed in the Lebanon Cemetery, Lebanon, SD.

Anne was born May 1, 1923, in Rijnsberg, the Netherlands, to parents Jacob and Maartje Van den Eykel. In 1923, the family immigrated to America, settling on a farm in Lebanon, South Dakota.  Anne attended Lebanon schools through her sophomore year, when her father bought a farm near Gettysburg, South Dakota, where she completed high school.  Anne attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she graduated with a degree in composite social science and botany, a natural choice considering her love of knowledge and nature. Anne went on to earn her Masters and to teach many students in schools in Tolstoy, Highmore and Lincoln School in Potter County. She was a much beloved teacher and is remembered by many former students who still keep in touch.

Anne married Lyle Hansen in 1947 and had four children: Terri (Sam) Adams, Vicki Steele, Lyla (Bill) Flohrs, and Brad (Mary Jo) Hansen. Anne was a friend to many over the years, never meeting a stranger due to her ease of conversation and genuine interest in the lives of others.  She maintained an unwavering faith in God and possessed a contagious laugh and wonderful sense of humor.  She had a zest for befriending and helping others and often cared for others through her love of baking and cooking from scratch.  She loved to sing and play cards and board games with her friends, her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   Anne taught her children by example to live life fully, passionately and courageously, and to appreciate the wonders of life through the beauty in a tree, or a flower, or a rainbow, and to hear the quiet voice of God in the song of a bird.  She possessed an indomitable spirit and lived her life bravely and gracefully throughout her final hours.

She is survived by her children: Terri (Sam) Adams, Vicki Steele, Lyla (Bill) Flohrs and Brad (Mary Jo) Hansen; grandchildren: Nicole (Matt) Gacke, Patrick (Annie) Adams, Jason Flohrs, Jennifer Flohrs, and Grant Steele; great-grandchildren, Kiera and Alexis Gacke; and her brother, Martin.

Anne is preceded in death by her father and mother, Jacob and Maartje; her infant brother, Johnny; and brothers, Jake and Gerrit.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with local arrangements for Anne.