Betty (Mrs. Ranald Hansen) Hansen

On October 25, 2013 in Elk Horn, IA, Betty Jane Hansen left her earthly life to join her Savior. Her heart was with her dear husband Ras who passed away four months ago, and she joins him in heaven again to enjoy all they love together. Betty had a smile and laugh that made all those around her soak up her love. She lived her life dedicated to being a devoted wife, loving mom, and silly grandma. She also was a caring daughter spending lots of time with her father and mother in the latter years of their lives. Betty was born November 17, 1926 in Shelby County to Elmer and Dagny Gude. She was baptized and confirmed at Elk Horn Lutheran Church. She attended country school through 8th grade and loved to tell stories of her one room schoolhouse to her grandkids. She possessed so much wisdom when it came to life. On August 30, 1947, she and her husband of 66 years, Ranald (Ras) Hansen eloped. They made a wonderful life together resulting in a loud, loving family who was the joy of Betty's life. Betty spent time waiting tables as a young girl at various restaurants. She also worked at the Kimballton Creamery and Elk Horn Schools. For a time, she and Ras owned their own store - Ras's Food Market in Elk Horn. She was a member of Elk Horn Lutheran Church and served on the Altar Guild for many years. She also served as a 4-H leader. Betty loved chocolate and playing cards, especially solitaire. She enjoyed coffee with her neighbor ladies, took walks around her neighborhood, and kept busy doing different needlepoint projects. Every summer, Betty and Ras took their grandkids on vacation for two weeks, and this was always a highlight of her year - camping at Okoboji or road tripping across the Midwest. She enjoyed when her grandkids had sleepovers and was always the first one to sit on the floor and play for hours. Harvesting her strawberry patch each summer was a fun activity she enjoyed. She always was the host bringing her family together to celebrate holidays full of family traditions like having each grandkid perform at Christmas before opening presents. Betty's family who passed before her include her one love - Ranald (Ras), her parents Elmer and Dagny Gude, her brother Jerry Gude, brother-in-laws Ralph Hansen and Herb Hansen, sister-in-law Thelma Lange, sisters-in-law Alice Hansen and Evelyn Hansen, brother-in-law Ted Lange, and father-in-law and mother-in-law Marie and Peter V. Hansen. Betty is survived by her two girls Jo Christofferson and Connie (Bob) Doonan. Her grandkids who were her pride and joy: Matthew (Megan) Christofferson; Brooke Christofferson; Scotty Christofferson (Jennifer Meckes); Carrie (Pat) Nepple; Katie (Jason) Hoffman; and Kyle Doonan. Nine great-grandchildren loved Grandma Betty and brought the biggest smiles to her face: Gabriel, Carsten, Elle, Griffin, and Mae Christofferson; Caden and Brynn Nepple; and Lillie and Ian Hoffman. Also surviving Betty are her brother Arnold (Doris) Gude, sister-in-law Donna Gude, special niece Doris Jones and her husband John, and many other nieces and nephews. **Written by Betty's granddaughter Brooke Christofferson.** Memorials may be directed to Betty's family for their distribution to Betty's favorite charities. PASTOR KEITH MENTER, OFFICIATING Music "WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS" GLEE SMITH, VOCALIST "FATHER, I ADORE YOU" "ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS" JANELLE HANSEN, ORGANIST "THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE" - GREAT GRANDCHILDREN Casket Bearers MATTHEW CHRISTOFFERSON BROOKE CHRISTOFFERSON SCOTTY CHRISTOFFERSON CARRIE NEPPLE KATIE HOFFMAN KYLE DOONAN Interment ELK HORN LUTHERAN CEMETERY ELK HORN, IOWA THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE CHURCH HALL FOLLOWING THE INTERMENT.