Gwendolyn Hansen

GWENDOLYN G. HANSEN

Muscatine

Gwendolyn G. Hansen passed from this life peacefully on Nov. 22, 2020, with courage, grace and the love from her precious daughters, Julie and Joni.

She was 84 years young in

life and in heart.

Gwen was born in Oak Park, Ill., on June 10, 1936,

the second oldest of six children. Her family moved

to Crystal Lake, Ill., when

she was 1-year-old and then moved to Burton's Bridge, Ill., when she was 10-years-old. She grew up there and graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1954. She graduated from Whitewater University, Whitewater, Wis., in 1959 with a B.A. in education. She was proud of her affiliation with Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and continued to visit and travel with her sorority sisters, whom she adored, the rest of her life.

She met her dear husband, Ronald H. Hansen, while in college. They were married in 1959. They moved to Muscatine, Iowa, after Ron got his M.A. at the University of Iowa in 1961. Ron and Gwen were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Joni of Phoenix, Ariz., and Julie Gasway of Cedar Rapids.

Ron taught at the community college until he passed away in 1995. Gwen was an elementary teacher for eight years and an elementary librarian for 35 years in the Muscatine public schools. She automated the library system and embraced learning the computer and designing a web site which her daughters were so proud of. Gwen continued learning technology even after she retired. She emailed and texted her siblings, Bill Hadfield, Natalie Swanson and Patti Cooley; many dear friends and her daughters every day.

Gwen kept herself very busy with a wide variety of interests. She walked two miles every day no matter what the weather. Gwen and Ron embraced Muscatine and their many lifelong friends who became extended family. Gwen enjoyed going to plays and concerts. She enjoyed traveling and playing in her multiple bridge clubs. She missed bridge, Sunday pizza dinners and Geneva and her friends so much during the COVID-19 crisis. She loved being with her family, children and grandchildren. Gwen loved her volunteer work at Trinity gift shop, where she put in many hours each year. Gwen attended Faith United Church and raved about Pastor Ryan, whom she also missed in person over the last many months. She would attend online faithfully at 10 a.m. every Sunday.

Gwen will be deeply missed by her daughter, Joni of Phoenix, Ariz.; and her daughter, Julie and husband, Scott, of Cedar Rapids, and their children, Melissa Nelson (Cedar Rapids), Brent and Erin Gasway (Indianapolis, Ind.), Joel Gasway and Crystal Roach (Cedar Rapids) and Lily Gasway (Des Moines).

Gwen was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ronald, in 1995; her parents; one brother, Stephen; and one sister, Penny; and her grandson-in-law, Andrew Nelson. Gwen was so excited with the upcoming birth of her first great-granddaughter in December with Brent and Erin.

"Family" was the most important part of Gwen's life. Her daughters filled her life with joy and hope and love and she will live in their hearts forever. Joni and Julie will surely miss the daily conversations with their loving mom.

There will be a private family funeral at Faith United Church of Christ in Muscatine on Monday, Nov. 30. A Celebration of Life to honor and remember Gwen will be done with all her special people when it is safe to do so. Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Ronald and Gwendolyn Hansen Scholarship Fund at Muscatine Community College, 152 Colorado St., Muscatine, IA 52761; and Faith United Church of Christ, 3307 Mulberry Ave., Muscatine, IA 52761.