Dorothy Jean Hanson

Dorothy was a homemaker who loved children. She spent many years giving loving care to young children in her home and her church’s nursery. She was also an usher and coordinator for weddings and funerals at her church. She enjoyed vacationing in her own backyard in the gazebo and mini-house that her loving husband had designed and built for her. She also enjoyed reading books, planting flowers and doing count-cross stitch. Her greatest joy was sharing each day with the love of her life, Gene.

Dorothy and Gene Hanson were married for 68 years. They eloped in New Mexico on May 29, 1951 and began an adventure of life together filled with love. Both were longtime residents of Colorado and enjoyed thousands of memories over their years together.

Family brought great joy to Dorothy and Gene. They relished every opportunity to spend time and gather memories with their descendents ‘all because two people fell in love.’ They will be missed but remain in the hearts of their children, Kathy (Ken) Allen of Arizona, Karen Smith of Colorado Springs and Kevin Hanson of Colorado Springs; their grandchildren, Caressa (Brandon) Himoff of New York, Nate (Meredith) Allen of Arizona, Brandon Smith and Breanna Smith, both of Colorado Springs; and their great granddaughters, Madison Allen and Ashlyn Allen of Arizona, and Callie Himoff and Tessa Himoff of New York.

They had a few ‘trips of a lifetime’ and enjoyed their travels to Hawaii, Alaska, the Yukon, England and Wales. They also enjoyed many trips in the United States with their family members.

Dorothy is survived by her sister, Merlyn (Tom) Stevens of Ohio.

Dorothy and Gene were usually seen holding hands. They often told each other, ‘I love you, always have and always will.’ We invite friends and family to join their Celebration of Life at Swan-Law Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Cascade on Monday, March 16 at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to La Puente Home, P.O. Box 1235, Alamosa, Colorado 81101 or to Southeast Colorado Special Olympics, 1763 S. 8th Street, Colorado Springs 80903.