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.
Marjeana "Reece" Derby
09/10/2015
Marion: So sorry for your loss. Prayers are going out to you and your family.
Elaine Miller
09/10/2015
Marion, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Cheryl Lillegraven
09/10/2015
Mary Jo touched my life in so many ways. She inspires me to be a better person and to always be kind to others. She was that way every day! Always smiling and encouraging.
Lou (Krusemark) Albers
09/10/2015
Jo,
I am sending my deepest sympathy to you and your family for your loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting your daughter, but I know she was a wonderful lady, just like her mom.
Deb Moyer
09/10/2015
I would say there probably isn't one person who met Mary Jo for the first time and forgot who she was. What a gift of engagement and love for fellow human beings she had. This is her legacy. She had a special spirit about her that we need to learn from as we console each other and celebrate her life and the fact that we've been so blessed to have known her. My heart is heavy with loss but know she's with God and has triumphed.
Kay Huntimer
09/10/2015
I was shocked and sad to hear of Mary Jo's passing. I had the privilege of taking some classes from her. She was very smart, she had a great sense of humor, and she had the best positive attitude I have ever seen. I am so sorry for your loss. She will be missed.
Jerry Downs
09/10/2015
Amanda,
So sorry to hear about the death of your mother. If she is anything like you, she will be sorely missed by many people. Reading some of the posts by others, her positive spirit and love and joy were an encouragement to all who knew her. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Kelly Sutton
09/10/2015
Mary Jo made me feel like a million bucks every time I saw her. She always made me smile even when I didn't feel like smiling. Just moments ago I found out of her passing, and my heart is aching. I am in shock, as it was not long ago she helped make Lab Week the best lab week ever! She was always willing to help out. I met Mary Jo almost 26 years ago when I started at UP (Methodist Hospitals). She was my orientation leader. She was a wonderful first impression of my place of employment. Marion and Todd: I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Kelly (Huxford) Sutton
Nick Malcom
09/10/2015
I had never and doubt I will ever meet another person that could make you feel the way Mary Jo did. When you talked with her you were the most important person in the room and she truly wanted to take in everything that conversation had to offer. I left every interaction with her with more life than I had when I walked up to her.
You will be dearly missed Mary Jo
Carrie Jo Leiran
09/10/2015
Mary Jo was an amazing co-worker who always had a smile for you and something positive or edifying to say. Indeed, I will miss her. One of the finest at her job. We are all richer for having known her. Peace and Prayers.
David Stark
09/10/2015
There are a few, special people that everyone knows by first name only. At the hospital all you had to say was "Mary Jo" and everyone knew who you were talking about. What an impact she made on so many people. She has left an indelible mark in our community. Well done, good and faithful servant. Indeed, well done. . . .
Dan Harkness
09/10/2015
I'm having trouble finding the words (which was NEVER a problem for Mary Jo!)... She touched everyone she worked with. If you were in a room with her, you knew it would be fun, informative and there would be laughter, for sure! I will miss her dearly. Heaven is shining a lot brighter with her there, but we lost a wonderful person here on Earth.
Vickie Horsch
09/10/2015
Mary Jo was a mentor, a friend, & one of my greatest advocates over the past 37 years of my career at UnityPoint. I will miss our laughs & storytelling so much. Prayers to the family during this most difficult time of loss.
Debbie Oliver
09/10/2015
God must of had a plan for a Mary Jo. She was such an amazing person. She touched everyone with her great smile and her outstanding personality. She will be greatly missed. God bless.
Sharon Klaus
09/10/2015
Marion I was so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.