Catherine Ann Hansen

Through her journey of 66 years, she touched many lives with her compassionate heart, adventurous spirit, and lighthearted wit.

Cathy was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, CO on January 29, 1959 to Ralph and Mary Patricia Snell. The third of five children, Cathy often reminisced about the joys of her childhood. From Sunday family drives to memories of camping and crawdad fishing, she appreciated the deep sense of love and connection shared amongst her parents and siblings.

Cathy earned her undergraduate degree in Education at the University of South Florida after initially pursuing Piano Performance. An avid learner with a deep thirst for knowledge, she later went on to study Social Work at the University of Alabama. In her later years, Cathy became deeply captivated by the stories of past generations and was known as the trusted genealogist among family and friends.

On June 25, 1983, Cathy married the love of her life and best friend, Robert (Bob) Hansen, in Lakeland, Florida. Throughout their 42 and a half years of marriage, they shared countless unforgettable trips, a love of nature, and a deep commitment to creating meaningful family memories with their three daughters, Tricia, Michelle, and Jennifer.

A true renaissance woman, Cathy had many passions that brought immense joy to her life. She had a special heart for children and devoted countless hours to enriching young lives through her childlike wonder and passion for learning. Drawn to music from a young age, she excelled at the flute, violin, guitar, and vocals, and trained as a concert pianist in college. While raising her children at home, she taught piano lessons and lovingly serenaded her daughters to sleep with performances that reflected her wide musical talent.

Cathy also found great joy in planning family trips. With a gift for bringing history to life, she created meaningful moments of connection during travels across the United States, fostering memories and laughter that will last a lifetime. Through the years, Cathy served in the church, participating in choirs and leading youth groups alongside Bob. She consistently volunteered her time in the community, demonstrating the importance of serving others.

Cathy is survived by her husband, Bob Hansen; her children, Tricia Hickle and husband Nate, Michelle Carr and husband Jesse, and Jennifer Proud and husband Dan; her siblings, James Snell and wife Martha, and Carole Eigsti and husband Greg; her siblings-in-law, Dan Hansen and wife Mardi, Dave Hansen and wife Joan, Joe Hansen and wife Julie, Paul Hansen and wife Kim, and Sammie Hansen; her many nieces and nephews; and her beloved grandchildren, Avery and Liam Hickle, Jackson and Aria Carr, and Kolbie Proud.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Mary Patricia Snell; her sister, Patti Lennox; her brother, Steve Snell; her brothers-in-law, Chuck Lennox and John Hansen; Jeanne Hough; and her father-in-law, Stan Hansen.

A celebration of life will be held at Drake Allnutt Funeral Home in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Saturday, January 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

Cathy’s legacy of kindness, empowerment, and positivity will continue to live on in the hearts of those she loves