Edith Sophia Johnson Hansen

Edith Sophia Hansen, age 96, was born on August 24, 1916 to Oscar and Anne Johnson in Sedro Woolley, Washington. Both of her parents were first generation immigrants from Sweden. Her father worked as a Watchman at the railroad, as well as a Farm Hand. At 2 years old, Edith’s strong will was shown when she was part of the 1918 flu pandemic and survived pneumonia.

The Johnson family moved to Portland, Oregon so Edith’s father could take a job at the shipyards. In 1926, they purchased a farm and moved to Vancouver, Washington. At the age of 17, Edith entered Nurses Training at Emanuel Hospital in Portland. The great depression had reduced the money she had been saving to pay for tuition. Based on the economic times Emanuel accepted the $400.00 she had remaining as tuition. During training she had another severe case of pneumonia. They were concern that she would not survive this bout. Edith would describe, in vivid detail, the angel that came to reassure her that she would make a full recovery.

Upon graduation from Nursing Training, Edith worked at the Veteran’s Hospital prior to Pearl Harbor. During the war, she worked at the B-52 factory caring for injured military workers. She met her future husband, Walter Hansen, during this time. Walter sweetened the courtship with extra sugar ration cards for his future mother-in–law. Walter and Edith were married in 1947. Nine years later, their only child was born; son, Robert Hansen. The Hansen family relocated back to Seattle, only to return to Vancouver, Washington for a brief time. Walter, Edith, and Bob, again, moved to Edmonds, Washington; and finally, in 1967, settled in Seattle.

For over 40 years, Edith worked as a Nurse in downtown Seattle doctor offices, NW Hospital, Foss Senior Home and finally for the visiting nurse service. At home, Edith applied her nursing ethics by providing loving care to her husband and son. Edith, also, provided Hospice Care for her father, and later her husband, while they each fought a courageous battle against cancer.

Edith enjoyed gardening with her green thumb, ceramics, rosemaling, sewing, scrapbooking, and traveling. Trips ranged from Sweden to a Sunday drive with Walter. It was very important for Edith to be productive and do the right thing. She lived by the advice provided by her mother “Edith, you have to make the best of it!” A motto she used to provide loving care to her family and friends.

Edith is preceded in death by her husband, best-friend, and love of her life, Walter. She joined Walter and the many that have gone before her, with the assistance of the Lord’s guiding hands, in Edmonds, Washington on January 25, 2013. No more pain and no more tears! Edith leaves behind her son, Robert; daughter-in-law, Ann; three grandchildren, Andrew, Elizabeth and Rachel; many loving extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Edith’s memory may be made to The Salvation Army 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

One of Edith’s favorite hymns was “Great is thy faithfulness”. This faithfulness was reflected in the way she lived her life. Edith will be sorely missed by the many lives she enriched.