In Memory of Elizabeth "Betty" A. Hansen

Elizabeth “Betty” A. Hansen, age 86, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2017, at the St. Anthony Nursing Home of Carroll, Iowa.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 14, 2017 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. The Father Joe Dillinger and Father John McGuirk will officiate. Committal will follow in the St. Martin’s Catholic Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Rosary, on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home, of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Elizabeth  Hansen, the daughter of Walter and Amelia (Landgraf) Duffy, was born on January 18, 1931, in Odebolt, IA. Betty grew up in Odebolt and graduated from Odebolt High School with the class of 1948.  She attended Iowa State Teachers College for one year.

On September 24, 1949, Betty married Robert Hansen and the couple were blessed with five children: Nancy, Patty, Mark, Steven, and Kristy. The family made their home in Odebolt where Betty enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her children. She took great pride in her family.  She enjoyed volunteering at the Odebolt Nursing Home and the Odebolt Museum. Betty was a faithful member of the St. Martin’s Catholic Church where she served on the Ladies Guild.

Betty’s favorite hobby was playing bridge with her friends.  She belonged to the same bridge club for 55 years.  She also belonged to the local Tuesday Club. Spending time with her family and friends was an important part of Betty’s life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend; and will be missed by those who had the joy of knowing her.

Betty and Bob enjoyed spending their winters in Arizona and had so much fun with Phyllis and Don.  Bob had the Christmas tree down and the car packed by Christmas night and was ready to go!

Left to cherish her memory are her children Nancy (Michael) Schmitz of Odebolt, IA, Patty (Mark) Collison of Carroll, IA, Mark (Pam) Hansen of Odebolt, IA, Steven (friend Mary Ann) Hansen of St. Joseph, MO, and Kristy (Joe) Dewey of Odebolt, IA; sixteen grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; brother Richard Duffy of Odebolt, IA; sister Phyllis Gardner of Odebolt, IA; brothers-in-law Douglas (friend Hester) Hansen and Daniel (Charlotte) Hansen; sisters-in-law Marge Porter, Donna Ryan, Pat Duffy, and Susan West; extended family and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Amelia Duffy; husband Robert Hansen; sisters Pat Smith and Joan Einspahr; brother Walter Duffy; brothers-in-law Rev. Doyle Hansen and Donald Gardner; nephews Scott Barnes and Jeff Gardner; nieces Delaney Goodner and Mary Catherine Hansen.