Lucille Hansen

Lucille V. Hansen, age 95, passed away July 16, 2018 at Presbyterian Manor in Lawrence, Kansas. She was born August 9, 1922 in Lawrence to Willard H. and Mary R. Hanna Hayden.

Lucille grew up on a farm at what was then known as Hayden’s Corner with her four sisters. She attended Oak Ridge School in Grant Township and graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1939. The following year, she attended the University of Kansas and later married William (Bill) E. Hansen in January 1941. Bill joined the Army Air Corp before World War II, eventually becoming an officer in the United States Air Force. Lucille and Bill moved 39 times and had the good fortune to live throughout the United States. She worked as a bookkeeper in Florida, Alaska, and Texas. Lucille and Bill also lived in Adana, Turkey with their young daughters for a two-year period in the early 1960’s. Lucille was a well-known local artist producing hundreds of oil paintings. Her specialty was local landscapes and pressed flower arrangements. She successfully exhibited her works in Lawrence’s "Art-in-the-Park" for 15 years.

Lucille also traveled extensively with her sisters. They enjoyed vacations throughout the United States and many overseas destinations which included Russia, the Middle East, most of Europe, as well as cruises to Central and South America.

In later years, Lucille and three of her sisters built condominiums in a Lawrence subdivision. Fondly known by nieces and nephews as the Aunt Colony, she enjoyed nightly suppers with her sisters followed by games of bridge. Lucille loved playing bridge and was a member of several local bridge clubs for many years. Lucille is survived by her daughter, Kay Hansen Hopkins, and Kay’s husband, Larry, of Topeka, by her sisters Della Hadley and Vera Dellwig of Lawrence and by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rebecca Sue Hansen, in 2005, and her husband, Bill, in 1980.

A visitation will be Friday, July 20, 2018 from 6-7 pm, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A private family burial will be scheduled at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at rumsey-yost.com.