Phyllis Jean Hansen

Phyllis Jean Hansen was born on November 25, 1927 in Maryville, Missouri to Jack and Francis Hartness. She was the oldest of three girls, Phyllis, Joanne, and Sharron. During the Great Depression, in search of a more rewarding life, Jack and Francis moved to California, where they settled in Pasadena.

During her younger years, Phyllis met Don, the love of her life. During their courtship, Don was called to serve his country in World War 11. phyllis waited for his return from Europe, and together, they were blessed with three wonderful children, Kathy, Jim, and Jerry. Their first years were spent in Alhambra, California. As the family grew, they relocated to Arcadia where the family remained, as the children married and moved on. As life moved on, Phyllis and Don moved into Hillcrest, a retirement community in La Verne, California. They spent the remainder of their lives together until Don's passing.

In January of 2020, Phyllis relocated to Huntington Beach where she resided in Merrill Gardens. Although the move was stressful, she fit in well wit the residents in Merrill Gardens where she met several close and ear friends enjoying numerous activities including her weekly church service and bible study. In 2022, Phyllis moved from Merrill Garden to live with her daughter Kathy and son-in-law, Greg. She lived a productive and enjoyable life and was well cared for in these later and final years. She passed away comfortable and peacefully in Huntington Beach, Leaving behind a lifetime of war memories and a family who loved her deeply. her life strongly revolved around faith and family. her faith was a very important part of who she was. She verbally stressed the fact that she was deeply grateful for the many blessings God gave her throughout her life even with the premature passing of her sons.

One of Phyllis' greatest life passions was teaching. After she started her family, she continued her education and earned her Master's Degree in Education. Determination and love of learning were a big part of her character as she continued teaching for 26 years. She had a gift for helping children learn and grow and touched countless young lives throughout her tenure in education. This was truly a part of her legacy.

Above all, Phyllis loved her family. She loved Jim's wife Debbie, as her own daughter. She was a proud grandmother to Christie (Greg), Scott (Devon), Craig (Michelle), Jill (Scott), Brent (Janelle), Keith (Diana), and Kurt (Erin). She was blessed with many great grandchildren, Zane (Dannielle), Christian (Jenny), Phoebe, Nathan, Jake, Broderic, Vinny, Sophie, Mackenzie, Hope, Micah, Kendra, Claire, Katelyn, Layne, Ady, Evan, Eli, Leo, and Jack. Her family was the center-point of her life. The love she bestowed on each and everyone of them will manifest itself through the generations.

In her early retirement years, She and Don went on many cruises, enjoyed fold and trips to Laguna Beach. In her later years she enjoyed animals, coloring, flowers and visits from friends and family. She was a devoted Dodgers fan and rarely missed a televised game. She was a "die-hard" fan, but if the games were not going in the Dodgers favor, she had no problem turning off the fame and letting you know who wasn't playing well that day, attributing to the loss. She was quick to make her opinion knon. She had a special love for dessert, any dessert, especially Hula pie and English toffee ice cream, Although she would never turn down a lesser offering of pie or cookies. Phyllis also enjoyed having beautiful and nice things around her and appreciate the little touches that made life special.

After a long, beautiful, and accomplished life, she is finally reunited with those loved ones that anchored. what she felt was the very meaning of her life, Don, Jim, and Jerry. Her remaining family takes great comfort in knowing that this is not a goodbye, but a joyful reunion. While she will be deeply missed, we are blessed with the countless memories she leaves behind and that one day we will be reunited with her. Her love, faith and laughter, as well as the positive lessons she taught with live on for generations.

"Her children will rise up and call her blessed" - Proverbs 31:28.

Phyllis' life was a blessing. Her memory is a treasure, and her love will live in the hearts and minds of her family forever. We celebrate her life, honor her memory and rejoice that she is now home, in the hands of our ever-present Lord and reunited with those she loved so deeply and early. Her earthly existence can be summed up in one verse, "Let us, with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find that grace to help in that time of need." Hebrews 4:16. Because of this attribute, Phyllis was driven by the Lord to help those in need.