Evelyn Alida Hansen was born October 25, 1925, the ninth child of John and Dina Hansen, at the home farm, NE 23-2-15, near Hoffer, Sask. Most of her public schooling was at Dravland School. In Evelyn's "story" in the RM of Souris Valley 2005 history book she mentions that annual Christmas concerts and the sports days at Foster's Grove were very special to her. She attended high school in Lake Alma, then Normal School during the summer months in Regina - she received her teaching certificate after two months of teacher's training, and started teaching at the age of 17. Prairie Lea school in Creelman was her first school; other schools included Dravland, Goodwater, Apollo, Kindersley (a country school) and at the town school (early 50's), Torquay ('59-'60), Macoun, Beinfait (from '62-'65) and Scotsburn School in Estevan (from fall of '65 until she retired in June of 1984. This was 32 years in total (24 years for the Estevan Rural School division). Evelyn took a break from teaching and worked in the Department of Agriculture Ag. Rep. office in Kindersley, for five years. Evelyn attended University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon from 1960-1962 and finally a summer school French class completed the requirements for her Bachelor of Education degree received in the fall of 1964. She lived with her parents in Estevan; her father passed away in 1965 and her mother in 1968. She continued to live at 1433-3rd Street until she moved to Trinity Tower in 1990 where she took an active part in all activities there, from exercise three times a week to singing, games, entertainment evenings and once a month potlucks. Evelyn volunteered with the Estevan Multicultural Society, the Norwegian Group, library work at Trinity, president of an ELW Circle - holding meetings at Creighton Lodge, delivering Meals on Wheels, working with Voice of the Handicap, the music festival and the Estevan Arts Council. Trips have taken her to many parts of Canada and United States, Europe and Norway. The highlight was when she took a six month leave of absence from work for a 1956 trip to Norway, along with her sister, Myrtle; she returned to Norway on a cruise trip with Palmer and Marg in 2006. Evelyn was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and her faith played a major part of her life. She took a keen interest in the community and church activities but particularly in the lives of her 28 nieces and nephews and their families, down to her great great nieces and nephews as well as maintaining connections with her cousins in Norway, the States and many friends and former students. In August, 2010, Evelyn moved to the Estevan Regional Nursing Home in where she died in the late evening of June 29, 2012. Evelyn was predeceased by her father John B Hansen, her mother Dina (Gronvold) Hansen, an infant sister, Evelyn Violet Hansen and her sisters: Edith Melby, Myrtle Hansen, Anna Hagen, Clara Tangjerd, her brothers: Bernhard and Clarence Hansen, her sisters-in-law: Evelyn Hansen and Vera Hansen, her brothers-in-law, Victor Melby and Olaf Hagen and niece: Deborah Hansen, nephews: Normann Melby, David Tangjerd, Carl Tangjerd and great nephews: Timothy Melby and Troy Hansen. Memories of Evelyn are treasured by her surviving brothers Johnny, Lloyd and his wife, Lauretta, Palmer and his wife, Marg, and her brother-in-law Harald Tangjerd and sister-in-law, Hazel Hansen. 11 nieces and 17 nephews with their 25 spouses, three step-nieces and a step-nephew, 28 great nieces and 40 great nephews and 34 great great nieces and nephews are thankful for the special memories of a dear aunt, great aunt and great great aunt. A Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, July 4, from Trinity Lutheran Church, Estevan, with Pastor Martin Olson officiating. Pallbearers were Dennis Melby, Garnet Hansen, Lorne Tangjerd, Wayne Hagen, Don Hansen, and Doug Hansen. Interment was at Dravland Cemetery, Hoffer, SK. Donations in memory of Evelyn may be made to the Estevan Regional Nursing Home, Estevan, SK. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd. Weyburn (306) 842-5432.
