Betty Jane Hansen

Betty Jane Hansen, the daughter of Peter and Nellie (Meeker) Grandgenett, was born May 21, 1928, at her parents’ home near Mondamin, Iowa and died March 20, 2020, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 91 years, 9 months, and 29 days.

Betty was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church. She attended rural schools in the Mondamin area. Later, Betty moved to Kimballton, Iowa and was employed at the local café.

On March 8, 1951, she was united in marriage to Glynn H. Hansen at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church Parsonage in Elk Horn, Iowa. They farmed south of Elk Horn for several years then purchased a farm west of Exira, Iowa. They grew row crops and raised livestock, and Betty enjoyed tending to her large garden. They farmed for more than 13 years before selling the farm and purchasing the “Dime Store” in Exira.

During this time, Betty became a Certified Nurse’s Assistant and worked at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn for a short time. She then transferred to the Exira Care Center in Exira. Glynn died June 24, 1997. Betty continued working at the Care Center until she retired at the age of 83. She enjoyed her home and then later moved to the Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic, Iowa for a short time before moving to the Exira Care Center.

Betty was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. She enjoyed playing cards and belonged to a card club. Betty always kept busy. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and crocheting. She spent many hours tending to her garden and enjoyed cooking.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Glynn H. Hansen; her grandson, Paul Hogueison; her son-in-law, Bill Hogueison; her parents; her sisters, Dorothy and husband George Parks and Maxine and husband Ernie Brooks; her brother, Frank Grandgenett; and her brothers-in-law, Darrell Hansen and Derward Hansen.

Survivors include her daughters: Marilyn and husband Bill Jones of Hampton, Virginia; Debbie and husband Jerry Benner of Roseville, California; Dixie and husband Bob Sorensen and Julie and husband Tom Lines, all of Exira, Iowa; Glenda Hogueison and friend Bob Truitt, both of Atlantic, Iowa; and Tracy Hansen and Jeff Carpenter of Newport News, Virginia; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Darlene Hansen of Exira, Iowa; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In compliance with the Governor’s Public Health Disaster Declaration, a Memorial service will be held at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa at a date and time to be determined later. Pastor Steven Frock will officiate. A private family interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira. There will be viewing on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. with a limit of 10 people at one time at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa.