Elizabeth Ann Hansen, (aka Liz, Mom, Grandma), passed peacefully from this life into the next, surrounded by her family, on February 10, 2021. She was 88 and 3/4 years old (as she reminded us up until the very end).
Liz, the daughter of Mable and Oreilus Rivard, was born on April 26, 1932 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Liz met her husband, Lorin Hansen, at Selfridge Air Force Base, married and moved around the country due to Lorin's job as an air traffic controller. They eventually settled in the Reno/Sparks area in 1960 and were married for 51 years before Lorin's passing. In her 60 years of living in Nevada, Liz never learned to like the smell of sagebrush, but she did grow to love her family, friends, and community here.
Selflessness is the one word that comes to mind when thinking of our Mom. She was a loving daughter and special big sister that helped raise her younger siblings. She was also the very proud mother of five daughters who dedicated her life to loving and caring for her family. We always knew home meant being surrounded by unconditional love, good food and all the news about the extended family. Mom was our matriarch as she cherished and championed her children and welcomed their friends as part of the family. She worked miracles in a small kitchen, ensuring the family always ate dinner together and preparing amazing holiday meals. You will forever be in our hearts, Mom.
Without a doubt, her greatest love in this life was that of being Grandma to her five grandchildren. Ironically, they posted their tributes to her online, yet she refused to get a cellphone, computer, or even an answering machine her entire life. In their words, "Grandma was the embodiment of unconditional love. She held all their secrets, she was their biggest fan, she was the one they would call when they were happy or sad, she was their brightest light, and the purest human they have ever known. Grandma was also the most unintentionally funny woman you have ever met; saying exactly what was on her mind. Never have they met a stronger, kinder, funnier, caring, more selfless woman than their Grandma. She was the champion maker-of-breakfasts, the Queen of the meat pie, the sender of cards for all holidays (always including stickers) and they knew that all she ever wanted in this life was for the people she loved to be happy and safe. They will think of her every time they pass an Olive Garden, every time Tom Brady is playing, the smell of Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds perfume, and watching Jeopardy. They will also miss everything about her. Every. Single. Thing."
Mom never lost her sense of wonderment for this life. Seeing the fall colors, the twinkle of Christmas lights, the celestial movement of the moon and the stars, was as awesome the fiftieth time as it was the first. Mom never hesitated to share her emotions with whoever was present. Anyone who knew her will never forget the genuine youthful spirit she possessed as she would scream, "Oh, golly, gee whiz, holy cow!" for any sporting event she watched, listening to her favorite songs, or unexpectedly seeing someone she knew.
Liz connected quickly with anyone she encountered. She truly took an interest in their life and learned their story in a manner of minutes. She also cherished her close friends with whom she shared the experiences of life across the decades. Friends would say that she always knew the gossip but did not create it or spread it; she just wanted to know as she had a lifelong thirst for knowledge.
Be it avidly reading, watching Jeopardy for over 50 years (say hello to Alex for us!), documentaries, politics, the night sky, music, or sports, Liz had so many varied interests. She loved many music genres but especially enjoyed swing- era big band music, Engelbert Humperdinck, R&B, and early Rock & Roll; anything to which she could perform her signature shoulder roll.
Our Mom knew about so many sports and passed that knowledge on to her family. As a young lady in Michigan, she would love to catch the bus to go see a Detroit Tigers baseball game. She also enjoyed cheering for Michigan and Michigan State football teams (red and white for Ohio State was not permitted in our house), NASCAR, NBA All-Star games, boxing matches, pro tennis, and the Triple Crown horse races (which she would bet a quarter with us). Her deepest devotion, however, was rooting for her man, Tom Brady, in her regulation jersey, regardless of his team (and yes, he played college ball for Michigan). She had no intention of passing on to the next life until he completed his 7th Super Bowl win!
Liz was one of the founding members of Holy Cross Catholic Community in Sparks. In her 56 years as a parishioner, she spent countless hours volunteering her time to clean the rectory, coordinating cleaners for the church, and arranging the seating to ensure all was perfect before Mass. Liz was proud to receive the Reno Diocesan Volunteer Award recognizing her contributions.
Liz was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, Mable and Oreilus, and her siblings, Tom, Dorothy, Oreles (Peanut), Paul, her husband, Lorin, her daughter, Karen and her granddaughter, Diana. She is survived by her children, Sherry (Mike), Kareen, Kristina (Dan), Trudy (Jean) and her grandchildren, Colleen, Tom, Veronica (Beau), and Miranda, her sister Judy (Dick) and many nieces and nephews.
A private service for the family was held at Holy Cross Catholic Community. Interment at Our Mother of Sorrows cemetery will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers or donations (as Mom never wanted anyone to spend money on her), we think she would be most pleased if you called your family, gave a loved one flowers for no particular reason, donated to your favorite charity, or cheered for Tom Brady - even if you're not a fan!
Published in the Reno Journal-Gazette and Mason Valley News from Feb. 18 to Feb. 21, 2021.
Liz, the daughter of Mable and Oreilus Rivard, was born on April 26, 1932 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Liz met her husband, Lorin Hansen, at Selfridge Air Force Base, married and moved around the country due to Lorin's job as an air traffic controller. They eventually settled in the Reno/Sparks area in 1960 and were married for 51 years before Lorin's passing. In her 60 years of living in Nevada, Liz never learned to like the smell of sagebrush, but she did grow to love her family, friends, and community here.
Selflessness is the one word that comes to mind when thinking of our Mom. She was a loving daughter and special big sister that helped raise her younger siblings. She was also the very proud mother of five daughters who dedicated her life to loving and caring for her family. We always knew home meant being surrounded by unconditional love, good food and all the news about the extended family. Mom was our matriarch as she cherished and championed her children and welcomed their friends as part of the family. She worked miracles in a small kitchen, ensuring the family always ate dinner together and preparing amazing holiday meals. You will forever be in our hearts, Mom.
Without a doubt, her greatest love in this life was that of being Grandma to her five grandchildren. Ironically, they posted their tributes to her online, yet she refused to get a cellphone, computer, or even an answering machine her entire life. In their words, "Grandma was the embodiment of unconditional love. She held all their secrets, she was their biggest fan, she was the one they would call when they were happy or sad, she was their brightest light, and the purest human they have ever known. Grandma was also the most unintentionally funny woman you have ever met; saying exactly what was on her mind. Never have they met a stronger, kinder, funnier, caring, more selfless woman than their Grandma. She was the champion maker-of-breakfasts, the Queen of the meat pie, the sender of cards for all holidays (always including stickers) and they knew that all she ever wanted in this life was for the people she loved to be happy and safe. They will think of her every time they pass an Olive Garden, every time Tom Brady is playing, the smell of Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds perfume, and watching Jeopardy. They will also miss everything about her. Every. Single. Thing."
Mom never lost her sense of wonderment for this life. Seeing the fall colors, the twinkle of Christmas lights, the celestial movement of the moon and the stars, was as awesome the fiftieth time as it was the first. Mom never hesitated to share her emotions with whoever was present. Anyone who knew her will never forget the genuine youthful spirit she possessed as she would scream, "Oh, golly, gee whiz, holy cow!" for any sporting event she watched, listening to her favorite songs, or unexpectedly seeing someone she knew.
Liz connected quickly with anyone she encountered. She truly took an interest in their life and learned their story in a manner of minutes. She also cherished her close friends with whom she shared the experiences of life across the decades. Friends would say that she always knew the gossip but did not create it or spread it; she just wanted to know as she had a lifelong thirst for knowledge.
Be it avidly reading, watching Jeopardy for over 50 years (say hello to Alex for us!), documentaries, politics, the night sky, music, or sports, Liz had so many varied interests. She loved many music genres but especially enjoyed swing- era big band music, Engelbert Humperdinck, R&B, and early Rock & Roll; anything to which she could perform her signature shoulder roll.
Our Mom knew about so many sports and passed that knowledge on to her family. As a young lady in Michigan, she would love to catch the bus to go see a Detroit Tigers baseball game. She also enjoyed cheering for Michigan and Michigan State football teams (red and white for Ohio State was not permitted in our house), NASCAR, NBA All-Star games, boxing matches, pro tennis, and the Triple Crown horse races (which she would bet a quarter with us). Her deepest devotion, however, was rooting for her man, Tom Brady, in her regulation jersey, regardless of his team (and yes, he played college ball for Michigan). She had no intention of passing on to the next life until he completed his 7th Super Bowl win!
Liz was one of the founding members of Holy Cross Catholic Community in Sparks. In her 56 years as a parishioner, she spent countless hours volunteering her time to clean the rectory, coordinating cleaners for the church, and arranging the seating to ensure all was perfect before Mass. Liz was proud to receive the Reno Diocesan Volunteer Award recognizing her contributions.
Liz was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, Mable and Oreilus, and her siblings, Tom, Dorothy, Oreles (Peanut), Paul, her husband, Lorin, her daughter, Karen and her granddaughter, Diana. She is survived by her children, Sherry (Mike), Kareen, Kristina (Dan), Trudy (Jean) and her grandchildren, Colleen, Tom, Veronica (Beau), and Miranda, her sister Judy (Dick) and many nieces and nephews.
A private service for the family was held at Holy Cross Catholic Community. Interment at Our Mother of Sorrows cemetery will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers or donations (as Mom never wanted anyone to spend money on her), we think she would be most pleased if you called your family, gave a loved one flowers for no particular reason, donated to your favorite charity, or cheered for Tom Brady - even if you're not a fan!
Published in the Reno Journal-Gazette and Mason Valley News from Feb. 18 to Feb. 21, 2021.
Elizabeth Ann Hansen, (aka Liz, Mom, Grandma), passed peacefully from this life into the next, surrounded by her family, on February 10, 2021. She was 88 and 3/4 years old (as she reminded us up until the very end).
Liz, the daughter of Mable and Oreilus Rivard, was born on April 26, 1932 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Liz met her husband, Lorin Hansen, at Selfridge Air Force Base, married and moved around the country due to Lorin's job as an air traffic controller. They eventually settled in the Reno/Sparks area in 1960 and were married for 51 years before Lorin's passing. In her 60 years of living in Nevada, Liz never learned to like the smell of sagebrush, but she did grow to love her family, friends, and community here.
Selflessness is the one word that comes to mind when thinking of our Mom. She was a loving daughter and special big sister that helped raise her younger siblings. She was also the very proud mother of five daughters who dedicated her life to loving and caring for her family. We always knew home meant being surrounded by unconditional love, good food and all the news about the extended family. Mom was our matriarch as she cherished and championed her children and welcomed their friends as part of the family. She worked miracles in a small kitchen, ensuring the family always ate dinner together and preparing amazing holiday meals. You will forever be in our hearts, Mom.
Without a doubt, her greatest love in this life was that of being Grandma to her five grandchildren. Ironically, they posted their tributes to her online, yet she refused to get a cellphone, computer, or even an answering machine her entire life. In their words, "Grandma was the embodiment of unconditional love. She held all their secrets, she was their biggest fan, she was the one they would call when they were happy or sad, she was their brightest light, and the purest human they have ever known. Grandma was also the most unintentionally funny woman you have ever met; saying exactly what was on her mind. Never have they met a stronger, kinder, funnier, caring, more selfless woman than their Grandma. She was the champion maker-of-breakfasts, the Queen of the meat pie, the sender of cards for all holidays (always including stickers) and they knew that all she ever wanted in this life was for the people she loved to be happy and safe. They will think of her every time they pass an Olive Garden, every time Tom Brady is playing, the smell of Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds perfume, and watching Jeopardy. They will also miss everything about her. Every. Single. Thing."
Mom never lost her sense of wonderment for this life. Seeing the fall colors, the twinkle of Christmas lights, the celestial movement of the moon and the stars, was as awesome the fiftieth time as it was the first. Mom never hesitated to share her emotions with whoever was present. Anyone who knew her will never forget the genuine youthful spirit she possessed as she would scream, "Oh, golly, gee whiz, holy cow!" for any sporting event she watched, listening to her favorite songs, or unexpectedly seeing someone she knew.
Liz connected quickly with anyone she encountered. She truly took an interest in their life and learned their story in a manner of minutes. She also cherished her close friends with whom she shared the experiences of life across the decades. Friends would say that she always knew the gossip but did not create it or spread it; she just wanted to know as she had a lifelong thirst for knowledge.
Be it avidly reading, watching Jeopardy for over 50 years (say hello to Alex for us!), documentaries, politics, the night sky, music, or sports, Liz had so many varied interests. She loved many music genres but especially enjoyed swing- era big band music, Engelbert Humperdinck, R&B, and early Rock & Roll; anything to which she could perform her signature shoulder roll.
Our Mom knew about so many sports and passed that knowledge on to her family. As a young lady in Michigan, she would love to catch the bus to go see a Detroit Tigers baseball game. She also enjoyed cheering for Michigan and Michigan State football teams (red and white for Ohio State was not permitted in our house), NASCAR, NBA All-Star games, boxing matches, pro tennis, and the Triple Crown horse races (which she would bet a quarter with us). Her deepest devotion, however, was rooting for her man, Tom Brady, in her regulation jersey, regardless of his team (and yes, he played college ball for Michigan). She had no intention of passing on to the next life until he completed his 7th Super Bowl win!
Liz was one of the founding members of Holy Cross Catholic Community in Sparks. In her 56 years as a parishioner, she spent countless hours volunteering her time to clean the rectory, coordinating cleaners for the church, and arranging the seating to ensure all was perfect before Mass. Liz was proud to receive the Reno Diocesan Volunteer Award recognizing her contributions.
Liz was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, Mable and Oreilus, and her siblings, Tom, Dorothy, Oreles (Peanut), Paul, her husband, Lorin, her daughter, Karen and her granddaughter, Diana. She is survived by her children, Sherry (Mike), Kareen, Kristina (Dan), Trudy (Jean) and her grandchildren, Colleen, Tom, Veronica (Beau), and Miranda, her sister Judy (Dick) and many nieces and nephews.
A private service for the family was held at Holy Cross Catholic Community. Interment at Our Mother of Sorrows cemetery will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers or donations (as Mom never wanted anyone to spend money on her), we think she would be most pleased if you called your family, gave a loved one flowers for no particular reason, donated to your favorite charity, or cheered for Tom Brady - even if you're not a fan!
Published in the Reno Journal-Gazette and Mason Valley News from Feb. 18 to Feb. 21, 2021.
Liz, the daughter of Mable and Oreilus Rivard, was born on April 26, 1932 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Liz met her husband, Lorin Hansen, at Selfridge Air Force Base, married and moved around the country due to Lorin's job as an air traffic controller. They eventually settled in the Reno/Sparks area in 1960 and were married for 51 years before Lorin's passing. In her 60 years of living in Nevada, Liz never learned to like the smell of sagebrush, but she did grow to love her family, friends, and community here.
Selflessness is the one word that comes to mind when thinking of our Mom. She was a loving daughter and special big sister that helped raise her younger siblings. She was also the very proud mother of five daughters who dedicated her life to loving and caring for her family. We always knew home meant being surrounded by unconditional love, good food and all the news about the extended family. Mom was our matriarch as she cherished and championed her children and welcomed their friends as part of the family. She worked miracles in a small kitchen, ensuring the family always ate dinner together and preparing amazing holiday meals. You will forever be in our hearts, Mom.
Without a doubt, her greatest love in this life was that of being Grandma to her five grandchildren. Ironically, they posted their tributes to her online, yet she refused to get a cellphone, computer, or even an answering machine her entire life. In their words, "Grandma was the embodiment of unconditional love. She held all their secrets, she was their biggest fan, she was the one they would call when they were happy or sad, she was their brightest light, and the purest human they have ever known. Grandma was also the most unintentionally funny woman you have ever met; saying exactly what was on her mind. Never have they met a stronger, kinder, funnier, caring, more selfless woman than their Grandma. She was the champion maker-of-breakfasts, the Queen of the meat pie, the sender of cards for all holidays (always including stickers) and they knew that all she ever wanted in this life was for the people she loved to be happy and safe. They will think of her every time they pass an Olive Garden, every time Tom Brady is playing, the smell of Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds perfume, and watching Jeopardy. They will also miss everything about her. Every. Single. Thing."
Mom never lost her sense of wonderment for this life. Seeing the fall colors, the twinkle of Christmas lights, the celestial movement of the moon and the stars, was as awesome the fiftieth time as it was the first. Mom never hesitated to share her emotions with whoever was present. Anyone who knew her will never forget the genuine youthful spirit she possessed as she would scream, "Oh, golly, gee whiz, holy cow!" for any sporting event she watched, listening to her favorite songs, or unexpectedly seeing someone she knew.
Liz connected quickly with anyone she encountered. She truly took an interest in their life and learned their story in a manner of minutes. She also cherished her close friends with whom she shared the experiences of life across the decades. Friends would say that she always knew the gossip but did not create it or spread it; she just wanted to know as she had a lifelong thirst for knowledge.
Be it avidly reading, watching Jeopardy for over 50 years (say hello to Alex for us!), documentaries, politics, the night sky, music, or sports, Liz had so many varied interests. She loved many music genres but especially enjoyed swing- era big band music, Engelbert Humperdinck, R&B, and early Rock & Roll; anything to which she could perform her signature shoulder roll.
Our Mom knew about so many sports and passed that knowledge on to her family. As a young lady in Michigan, she would love to catch the bus to go see a Detroit Tigers baseball game. She also enjoyed cheering for Michigan and Michigan State football teams (red and white for Ohio State was not permitted in our house), NASCAR, NBA All-Star games, boxing matches, pro tennis, and the Triple Crown horse races (which she would bet a quarter with us). Her deepest devotion, however, was rooting for her man, Tom Brady, in her regulation jersey, regardless of his team (and yes, he played college ball for Michigan). She had no intention of passing on to the next life until he completed his 7th Super Bowl win!
Liz was one of the founding members of Holy Cross Catholic Community in Sparks. In her 56 years as a parishioner, she spent countless hours volunteering her time to clean the rectory, coordinating cleaners for the church, and arranging the seating to ensure all was perfect before Mass. Liz was proud to receive the Reno Diocesan Volunteer Award recognizing her contributions.
Liz was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, Mable and Oreilus, and her siblings, Tom, Dorothy, Oreles (Peanut), Paul, her husband, Lorin, her daughter, Karen and her granddaughter, Diana. She is survived by her children, Sherry (Mike), Kareen, Kristina (Dan), Trudy (Jean) and her grandchildren, Colleen, Tom, Veronica (Beau), and Miranda, her sister Judy (Dick) and many nieces and nephews.
A private service for the family was held at Holy Cross Catholic Community. Interment at Our Mother of Sorrows cemetery will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers or donations (as Mom never wanted anyone to spend money on her), we think she would be most pleased if you called your family, gave a loved one flowers for no particular reason, donated to your favorite charity, or cheered for Tom Brady - even if you're not a fan!
Published in the Reno Journal-Gazette and Mason Valley News from Feb. 18 to Feb. 21, 2021.
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