Evelyn Hanson

Evelyn June (née Ditch) Hanson: Born June 14, 1931 St. Louis, Mo. - Died July 21, 2016 Hot Springs, Ar. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sterling Price and Golda Pearl Ditch, 4 siblings, Jesse Smith (Dorothy/Virginia), Lorene Ruth (Bill Kerr/Cliff Gardner), Garland Price (Audrey), and Richard James (Iona), and her beloved nieces and nephews, JuliEllen Marlene (Gamache) Koberger, Barbara June Kerr, Marie Kerr Menifee, Thomas Abbott, and William (Bill) Kerr; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and great nieces and nephews, and treasured friends. She is survived by her devoted husband Theodore (Ted) A. Hanson, and sister Barbara (Bill) Gamache of Hot Springs, and sisters-in-law, Iona Howald of Johnson City, Il. and Alva (Gene) Iverson of Great Falls, Montana. She is also survived by beloved nieces and nephews who dearly adored her: Bill (Sumi) Ditch, Vista, Ca., Kay (Tom) Abbott, Pfafftown, NC, Kevin (Bobbye) Ditch, St. Louis, Robert (Peggy) Kerr, Barnhardt, Mo., Ruth (Tony) Lahman, Lawrence, Ka., David (Karen) Kerr, Paragould, Ar., Frank Kerr, St. Louis, Mo., Kathleen Kerr, St. Louis, Mo., (Dennis (Kathy) Ditch, Forrestal, Mo., Roseanne (Bob) Weiland, Grand Forks, Mn, Linda (Mick)Vogt, Lemay, Mo., Stephen (Debbie) Ditch, Maplewood, Mo., Mary (Rudy) Eckstein, Lake Ozarks, Mo., Mable (Curtis) Hayes, Marion, Il., Richard (Debbie) Ditch, Marion, Il., Renee Gamache, Palm Springs, Ca., Sharon (Dirk) Porter, Plano, Tx., and Jeffrey (Maryann) Gamache, Plano, Tx., Richard (Kelly) Savio, Lemay, Mo.; Diane Iverson, Terry (Shari) Iverson, Debbie (Joe) Hepp, Valerie (Steve) Barrick, all of Great Falls, Mt, Pam (Dan) Berry, Overland Park, Ka., Patrice (Ken) Spencer, Floresville, Tx.; Randa and Craig Koski of Great Falls, Mt., David (Kathy) Koski of Phoenix, Az., many great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. Most of her surviving relatives still live in the greater St. Louis area; although many are scattered coast to coast, San Diego to Syracuse, Montana to Texas. Evelyn loved Montana and Texas, though she always bloomed where she was planted, and brought bright rays of sunshine into every life she touched. Although she and Ted were not blessed with children of their own, they were "surrogates" to many, who regard them as a "second" set of parents/grandparents. They never hesitated to step up and fill in as needed to help shepherd the dozens of little ones who blessed this family. She not only helped in guiding the lives she touched, but was an adoring, loving Christian teacher to all who were privileged to know her, from her days of youth until her latter days spent at Lake Hamilton Health & Rehabilitation, where she was known for her big hugs and a limitless candy and gum jar for all to share. She continued her mentoring and caring mission in spite of the pain and suffering that she endured, most of the time with a smile that would light up a room. She was "SPECIAL" to all who knew her. She will be remembered by so very many, for thousands of reasons, from teaching how to make caramel rolls and chicken and dumplings, to band aiding boo-boos; teaching hopscotch to double-dutch jump rope , playing Easter bunny, hide and seek, planting magic banana trees, and tenderly showing little children how to gently feed the baby lambs. She lovingly pitched in to help wherever needed, caring for sick friends and family, just "being there" whenever a helping hand was needed, always willing and able! She lead by "Example"; was always our family "Champion", and was the strongest woman I ever knew........... Without a doubt, June will be sorely missed in this world of ours. Farewell, dearest Junie, until we meet again and walk around Heaven together...........arm in arm, once again.......... A family reunion/memorial is being planned for October 8 to celebrate her wonderful life at the home of our nephew, Stephen and Debbie Ditch, and all are invited to attend, bring photos, memorabilia, and stories we can record for future generations so they are not lost in history. Look for further details on Facebook. The family has requested that those who wish to send memorials, please send them to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in her memory.