Mary Jo Hansell
September 07, 2015
Mary Jo Hansell, 63, passed away September 7, 2015. Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with visitation on Monday, September 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. and the service on Tuesday, September 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Mary Jo was born December 19, 1951 to Helen (Sawin) and Leo Broerman. She graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1970, Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in 1973, The University of St. Francis – Joliet, IL in 1979, and earned her Master’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1987. In 1986 she married Marion Ivan Hansell.
Mary Jo LOVED spending time with family and friends, traveling and shopping. She spent her 43 year career at UnityPoint where she touched countless lives as a nurse and educator. Mary Jo instilled happiness in others with her quick smile and infectious laugh. She was a shining example of how we should treat each other with her positive attitude and outgoing personality.
She will be greatly missed by her husband, Marion “Dude” Hansell of Des Moines; daughter, Amanda Jo (Mihalovich) Downs; son-in-law, Brian Downs; grandson, Hayden Downs; all of Urbandale; her mother, Helen Jo Broerman of Oskaloosa; sisters, Patty (Jeff) Turner of Des Moines, Becky Broerman of Des Moines; and nephew, Todd Hansell. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her father, Leo Broerman; and parents-in-law, Arlene and Ivan Hansell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Creutzfeldt Jakob’s Disease research www.cjdfoundation.org. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Tara Heyveld
09/11/2015
I'm so sorry to hear of Mary Jo's passing. I had the pleasure of knowing her and Dude while working at Porky's Diner. She was always a ray of sunshine and one of my favorite customers. Have a good ride, Mary Jo!
Cheryl Mahoney
09/11/2015
I had the great privilege of working with Mary Jo on some educational projects many years ago. What a true ray of sunshine!! Mary Jo always had a smile and a laugh. She lit up a room every time she walked in. She had a such a positive and joyous spirit. She will be greatly missed. My condolences for her family.
Donna Malin Arendt
09/11/2015
I have many good memories of fun times with the Broerman girls. I am deeply saddened to hear about Mary Jo. I have not seen her for years and from what I am reading, I regret that. Prayers for all of you.
Sandy Peno
09/11/2015
Mary Jo.........my mentor, my advocate, my inspiration, my co-worker and above all, my friend. You have always been sunshine and lollipops. I am humbled to have met you many years ago and blessed to have learned so much through your humor and wisdom. I think the world is a little better place, having had you here. "Later" my friend.
Lois Wergeland
09/11/2015
So sad to hear about Mary Jo! She was a true example of always being positive. No matter how busy she was, she greeted you with a smile and compassion. Fondly she will be missed. She was a model for all Unity Point Employees!
Patricia Peterson
09/11/2015
Marion,
Pete and I are so sorry to learn about Mary Jo's death. Sadly, I only met her once. I know you will feel her loss deeply.
Marilu Wink
09/11/2015
Over the years, I have worked with Mary Jo on various UnityPoint projects and have always looked forward to those times because she was so energetic, fun-loving, compassionate about what she did for the system, the patients, the staff and her peers. A common theme from everyone was regarding her infectious laugh. She was also so inclusive of others' input, their issues and viewpoints. She is a huge loss personally and professionally, and cannot even imagine the loss experienced by her entire family. What a gift she was to all of us who intersected in her life! My sincerest sympathies to the family as I know this will present a huge void in your lives.
Andy Robertson
09/11/2015
Patty, I am so sorry for your loss. Your sister exuded such positive energy. I always enjoyed being in her company. Still hold those family picnics in the model T close to my heart. Mary Jo was special. You and your family are blessed to have had her.
Tracy Arbogast
09/11/2015
I am so sad to learn of the loss of Mary Jo. She was a true inspiration to me when I started at UPH and continued to be a good friend over the past 10 years. I hope it gives you comfort knowing that she had such an impact of so many lives. I feel truly blessed to have been touched by Mary Jo. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
Laurie Conner
09/11/2015
I am so sorry to hear of Mary Jo's passing. She touched so many people with her compassionate and lively personality. God has just received a very special angel!
Co Sward
09/11/2015
I am saddened by the loss of such a positive bright spirit. Mary Jo touched my life through nursing and education. Her quick laugh and open approach made it easy to connect and view serious concerns in a non-threatening way.
Marty Colwell
09/11/2015
Mary Jo was sunshine that lit up any room she walked into. She was so generous - to share her wonderful laugh, to affirm whoever was in her presence. I knew Mary Jo through UnityPoint Health networking, particularly related to leadership development. I got to work with Mary Jo on project developing the UPH leadership competencies. It was one of the most fun projects I ever worked on - Mary Jo had us laughing so much, we commented that we had used up all the oxygen in the room. What a gift to have know her. My prayers are with her family and colleagues. May God comfort you and ease your sadness especially in those moments you miss her most.
Patty Daniels
09/11/2015
Marion- I was so sorry to hear of your wife's passing. Though I never met her formally, I know she must have been incredibly special to have attracted the likes of you. I have always had the utmost respect and admiration for you. I try to put myself in your shoes and wonder how I would cope with such a loss- you are a strong fella and I know you will. You are in my thoughts.
Cheri Miller
09/11/2015
I met Mary Jo in 1978 when I was orienting for my first job at IMMC on Younker 5. My manager took me to her office which was located on Powell 5. When she opened the door the first thing I heard was this fantastic laugh!! Of course, it was May Jo. I am so sorry for the loss of her company and laughter. My hope is that all these wonderful tributes and stories will help your family through this rough time. She will always be in the thoughts of her UPH family. Bless you for being there for her in this final journey.
Nancy Jane Stapp McCurdy
09/11/2015
Jo, Becky, Patty, Amanda and families,
We are sorry to hear of the loss of Mary Jo. I have fond memories of her.
Nancy Jane Stapp McCurdy
and
Donald McCurdy