Loretta Lynné Hansen

Loretta Lynné Hansen was a warm, wise, loving, beautiful lady who loved family, traveling, bird-watching, camping, fishing, painting, reading, and collecting jewelry.  She was born July 31, 1939, and spent the majority of her childhood growing up with her sisters in southern California.  Lynné graduated from Montebello High School in 1958.  On September 5, 1959, she married Ernest Laird Hansen, a lieutenant in the United States Air Force, and began her career as an officer’s wife and homemaker.  In 1961, Lynné and Laird welcomed their first child, daughter Karrin, and she was followed by Kindra in 1963 and Erik in 1969.  Lynné loved her kids and she was a very active, involved mother, which included chauffeuring them to horse riding lessons and various other activities.

Lynné loved drawing and painting, and she studied art at Oregon State University when Laird was stationed in Corvallis, Oregon.  She was a wonderful military spouse and advocate for military wives.  While Laird was stationed at Lajes Field in the Azores, Lynné volunteered with the American Red Cross and organized several fundraisers for Angra orphanages.  Following the Azores, Laird was transferred to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.  During her time at Scott AFB, Lynné was active in the military wives’ club and did a wonderful job as set designer for several plays that she was involved with.  She also used her design skills at home to create a beautiful home environment for her and her family.

In 1980, Laird was transferred to Seattle, Washington, and Lynné enrolled at the Lake Washington Vocational College, taking courses in dental office management.  She worked for many years running dental offices and continuing to raise her family.

In 2000, Lynné began one of the most fulfilling roles of her life when she became a grandmother.  She spent quality time with her grandchildren, encouraging them to have an active imagination and tutoring them on nature.  Her bird-watching skills led to her grandson Jackson telling people in all sincerity that grandma was a “bird scientist.”

Lynné was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008.  She made the most of the almost five years she had following the diagnosis, making over a half dozen trips to Hawaii with family and friends and attending many events involving her grandchildren.  In 2008, she welcomed grandson Alec into the world.  In 2009, she enjoyed celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends at a celebration in Boise, Idaho.  In the last year of her life, Lynné celebrated the birth of her first granddaughter, Kate.  She also worked with her son-in-law Anthony to start a competitive boys youth lacrosse club in Boise Idaho.  Lynné loved watching her grandson Jackson play lacrosse and was a major contributor to the start-up of the Idaho Outlaw Lacrosse Club.

Lynné is survived by her husband Laird; daughters Karrin Ferguson (Gerald) and Kindra Hansen Bryant (Anthony Bryant); son Erik Hansen (Christine); grandchildren Jackson Bryant, Alec Hansen, and Kate Hansen; sisters Lucia Berman and Katharine Underwood; half-brother Thomas Whitlock Jr.; numerous cousins; life-long friends Jeanine Bannick and Bobbi Hosking; and numerous nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, and one great step-grandchild.  She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Alice and John Babel.

The family would like to thank Dr. Renato Martin and the staff at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and Dr. David Baker and the staff at Evergreen Hospice, for the excellent care they provided.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the nonprofit lacrosse club, Idaho Outlaw Lacrosse (idahooutlawlacrosse.com), or the American Cancer Society.