Shirley Lou Hansen

She was born to Hans and Helen Jensen on April 11, 1927 on the family farm near Aurora, Nebraska. Shirley grew up on the farm and loved riding her horse to and from school. She graduated from Aurora High School in 1945. After high school, she attended the University of Nebraska Business School and graduated in 1948, with a degree in accounting.

Shirley married Karl Hansen and together they raised 3 children. In 1961, Shirley was named Mrs. Homemaker by the Denver Home Show. In 1964, Shirley combined her love of interior design and business background and opened Hansen Interiors on College Avenue, Fort Collins with her husband Karl. Together they enjoyed managing the business and beautifully decorating homes and businesses in the Fort Collins area. Shirley sold the business at age 55 and retired.

During her retirement Shirley volunteered at Poudre Valley Hospital managing the PVH gift shop. Additionally, she served as President of the Women’s City Park Nine Golf Club and utilizing her wonderful sense of style, she put on many themed lunches for the club. She also traveled extensively throughout Europe, China, Russia, and Australia. Denmark was another country that Shirley visited many times to reconnect with relatives and close friends. Shirley was an amazing hostess, her many holiday parties, neighborhood gatherings, and annual summer party will remain fond memories for her family, friends and neighbors. She took pride in helping others by giving kindness and support to all the people in her life.

Her hobbies included golfing, gardening, decorating, playing bridge, dancing and making new friends. As a woman of faith her entire life, she was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church for over 30 years.

Shirley is survived by her son Mark (Laura) Hansen, her daughter Kay Ojera both of Fort Collins, CO, and her son Ray Hansen of Hudson, FL; her grandchildren Allen (Josie) Hansen, Jeremy (Delia) Kobobel, Joshua (Ashley) Kobobel, Sean (Lisa) Hardy, Brandon (Jenny) Hardy, Chris Hansen, and Libby Kontranowski, as well as 14 great grandchildren.

Shirley was proceeded in death by her parents, Hans and Helen Jensen, her husband, Karl Hansen, her sister, Grace Potter, and her brother, Maynard Jensen.

A memorial will be held this spring at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests a memorial donation be made to the Alzheimer’s Association: alz.org.