Betty Frances Hansen

Betty Frances Richie Hansen, resident of El Paso, Texas, was called home to the Lord on March 26, 2016. She was 78 years old. Betty left nothing undone or unsaid. She lived her abundant life as an eternal optimist and spread her positivity and beautiful smile with everyone she encountered. She was a devoted wife and mother, steadfast friend, loving nurturer, crack bridge player, crafter, gardener, world traveler and cook. Betty was loved by many and will be deeply missed.

Born on November 30, 1937 in McAlester, Oklahoma to Christine Wharton Richie and Ellis Bert Richie, Betty entered this world as an identical twin. The daughter of a career US Army officer, Betty lived in a number of cities across the country and world, attending Washington Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia, University of Maryland in Munich, Germany, and earned her bachelors of education and psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Upon graduating, she taught special education in Alexandria, Virginia. In 1963, she married her college sweetheart Lester Hansen and they made El Paso their permanent home.

Betty’s proudest achievement is her family, which included her husband and best friend of 53 years, Lester Hansen; her three children Philip Hansen, Mark Hansen, and Carol Ann Hansen Browne; daughter-in-laws Angela Hansen and Amanda Hansen, and son-in-law Kevin Browne; and her six beloved grandchildren, Greg Hansen, Nick Hansen, Madeline Browne, Gavin Browne, Conrad Hansen and Raigan Hansen. She is survived by her husband and identical twin sister Carol Richie. She is preceded in death by her mother Christine Richie, Col. Ellis B. Richie, and infant daughter Mary Catherine.

A visitation will be held Thursday, March 31, 2016 from 9:00- 10:30 am, a Memorial services will be held Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 10:30 am at Western Hills United Methodist Church 524 Thunderbird Dr. El Paso, Texas 79912, followed by a Graveside service at 2:00 pm at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association, 233 N. Mesa Hills Dr. El Paso, TX 79912

You will forever live in our hearts and we look forward to when we meet again. We love you.