Penny Hansen
January 02, 1944 — October 31, 2023
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Service Details
Penny Hansen, age 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at Glen Oaks Alzheimers Specialty Care Center in Urbandale.
Penny was born January 2, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa to Henry “Milton” Johnson and Mary Jane (Morlan) Johnson. She was born at 22 weeks gestation, proving to everyone that she was truly a miracle. Penny graduated from Lincoln High School in Des Moines. She worked for many years at Woodward Acoustic Center, both in a secretarial role, and also helping Dr. Woodward to make ear mold impressions for hearing aid devices. Penny’s passion was for her students at Hillis Elementary School and the Hillis community, where she served in many capacities including Noontime Associate for 28 years and as a volunteer in the library. Her Hillis students affectionately referred to her as “Miss Penny”. Penny loved decorating for every theme and holiday, both at the school and at her home. She loved preparing contests for the kids, and would provide them generous prizes of her own devising.
Outside of her career, Penny devoted time to Democratic Party campaigns. She loved taking outings, shopping, and getting mani/pedis. Penny enjoyed time spent at the family lake house. She liked sun bathing, swimming, and water aerobics. Traveling held great joy for Penny and she treasured the memories of trips she took with family to Cancun, the Bahamas, New York, and others. Her home was filled with music and the love of her family, including her pets.
She is survived by her children, Alan (Michelle) Hansen of West Des Moines, IA, Timothy Hansen of Des Moines, IA, and Ann Marie (Rich) Nagel of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren, Aidan Hansen, James Hansen, Evan Hansen, Ryatt Nagel, Reid Nagel, Rohm Nagel and Kenner Nagel; and brother, Tim (Kathleen) Johnson of Sedona, AZ.
Penny was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Hansen; and her parents.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2023, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will be Monday, November 6, 2023, also at Hamilton’s, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Cremation will follow the service. There will be a luncheon held Monday at 12:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 5201 Urbandale Avenue, Des Moines. Interment in the Hansen family mausoleum at Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines will take place at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 7, 2023. For those unable to attend the service on Monday in person, it will be livestreamed through a link below that will be available shortly.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association in loving memory of Penny.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Suzanne Littrell Conway
11/08/2023
My heartfelt condolences go out to the entire family. Penny was like a second mom to me, growing up on 48th Pl. She was the first neighbor to greet us when we moved in across the street when I was 5 years old. I remember her coming up the driveway, cookies in hand, asking if my parents were home. All the mornings she drove me to school and then to swimming lessons at the YMCA with Alan and Tim. I always got a chuckle when she'd say "C'mon Betsy!!" to her car, trying to get it to start on a frigid Iowa winter morning. She was fun and funny and I always felt welcome in the Hansen home because of her. You were blessed to have such a loving and caring mom. My heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time.
Bev Anderson
11/05/2023
Penny was a remarkable person. She was friend to everyone she met. When I was new at Hillis, she helped me a lot. All the kids loved her and so did the staff. She was always thinking of others. She loved to decorate the school. I never heard one complaint about her. She spent much time taking care of others, using her talents to help others. It was a joy to know her. She put the needs of her family and others ahead of her own. She was a beautiful person inside and out.
Janelle Schultz
11/04/2023
I worked with Penny at Hillis. She was such a kind and giving person.
She loved the Hillis kids and they loved her. I have not seen Penny in awhile, but I have thought about her. I have many fond memories of her. She has definitely earned her angel wings.
Kara Breen
11/01/2023
My heart goes out to the family. Penny was a sweetheart and so fun to be around. She loved getting her nails painted her favorite color, red with sparkles. She loved movie day, and would be bummed if we had to turn it off before the movie was over. She will truly be missed. Thoughts and prayers to her family.