Hansen, Martha Joyce (Headington) -- 1927 - 1999

OLSON, HEADINGTON, HANSEN, MERCER, BARRUS, CRONIN, ARNESON, LOCKWOOD, HICKS, WOHLSDORF, ERICKSON

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 8/9/2010 at 18:33:24

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, June 1, 1999

Martha Hansen

Martha Hansen, 71, of Jackson, Mich., died Monday, May 24, 1999.

Funeral services were held Friday, May, 28, at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mich.

Martha Joyce (Headington) Hansen was born in Decorah Oct. 20, 1927, the youngest of nine children. She grew up on a farm and continued growing vegetables and flowers much of her life.

She married Oliver Hansen, who died in 1970.

Survivors include her three children, Steve and Janeen Hansen, Marty and Kirk Mercer, and Cindy and Brad Barrus.

Her quick wit and spirit of fun also will be remembered by her eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Her smile and willingness to enter into a new game of cards made her a favorite aunt and a good friend.

Anytime Martha would visit Decorah, there was bound to be a fun time with many Headington relatives in attendance. Although she later developed severe arthritis and required repeated joint surgeries, she was remembered as being strong, determined and having a lively spirit.
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Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, June 15, 1999

Martha Headington Hansen

Martha (Headington) Hansen, 71, of Jackson, Mich., died Monday, May 24, 1999, at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich., following an automobile accident May 11.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 28, at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mich., with the Rev. Edward Ross officiating.

Music was provided by Laurie Meunier, organist, and Lori Bandemer, flutist. A duet, "Spirit Song," was sung by Martha's granddaughters, Bethany and Kathy Barrus. "On Eagle's Wings" was sung by Bethany Barrus.

Casket bearers were Kirk Mercer, Andy Mercer, Brad Barrus, Craig Arneson, Bill Headington, Jerry Headington and Chuck Lockwood.

Burial was at the Roseland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Mich. The Desonoyer Funeral Home handled arrangements.

In keeping with Martha's wishes, there was a gathering at the home of her daughter, Marty Mercer, Friday, May 28, at 6 p.m. All relatives and friends were invited to attend for a time of fellowship and to share their memories of Martha.

Martha Joyce (Headington) Hansen was born in Decorah Oct. 20, 1927, the daughter of Wallace and Martha "Dottie" (Olson) Headington. She was
the youngest of nine children.

She received her elementary education in the rural schools of Canoe Township of Winneshiek County. Martha graduated from Decorah High School in 1945. She graduated from the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls — now the University of Northern Iowa-- in 1949.

Martha was united in marriage with E. Oliver Hansen June 18, 1949. She taught school for a short time before they moved to Jackson, Mich., in 1952.

In Jackson, she was employed in the central office of the Jackson Public Schools until her retirement.

She grew up on a farm and continued growing vegetables and flowers much of her life.

Her quick wit and spirit of fun will be remembered. Martha's smile and willingness to enter into a new game of cards made her a favorite aunt and a good friend.

Anytime Martha would visit Decorah, there was bound to be a fun time with many Headington relatives in attendance. Although she later developed severe arthritis and required repeated joint surgeries, she was remembered as being strong, determined and having a lively spirit.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, E. Oliver in 1970; brothers Gerald, Wayne and Reuel Headington; one sister, Muriel Cronin; and one niece, Diane Headington.

Survivors of Martha (Headington) Hansen include her three children, Steven and Janeen Hansen of Wellesley, Mass., Cindy and Brad Barrus of Grandville, Mich., and Marty and Kirk Mercer of Jackson, Mich.; eight grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Other survivors include four sisters, Vivian Arneson of Mabel, Minn., Evelyn Lockwood of Bowling Green, Ky., Vesta Hicks of Moose Lake, Minn., and Audrey Wohlsdorf of Decorah; sisters-in-law Evelyn B. Headington of Decorah and Joyce Erickson of Harmony, Minn.; and brother-in-law Harold Cronin of Decorah.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.