Joanne (Hjort) Hansen

Joanne was born at home in East Everett on May 2, 1939. She grew up in Lake Stevens and graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1957. She met Irvin, the love of her life in 1957 and they married in 1960. After Irv was drafted into the Army they lived a short while in Texas before making their home on the lake in 1963. She spent the next forty plus years enjoying the lake, raising her three daughters and spending time with family and friends. Ebenezer Lutheran Church was a big part of her life where her daughters were baptized, confirmed and married and where she taught Sunday school. She was a sun worshiper and always had a great tan to compliment her gorgeous hair and beautiful smile. She had a close group of friends and they had many fun nights at their monthly dinner parties as well as vacationing together. She enjoyed watching her children, nieces and nephews and grandchildren play sports and loved family trips to Hawaii, ski resorts and Disneyland. Mom was a wonderful homemaker and was known for her delicious homemade jams, pies and rolls. A lifetime animal lover, she dearly loved all her pets. Her many interests included tending to her beautiful flower baskets, shopping, reading, solving cross word puzzles and listening to her favorite singer, Neil Diamond. When Irv retired they began spending the winters in Palm Desert, CA where they have many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ervin and Eleanor Hjort and her brother Donald Hjort. She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Irvin Hansen; her daughters, Kandis Shrout (Jerry), Dawn Hansen, Paige Stober (Darren); her sisters, Carol Carter (John) and Kathleen Spade (David); grandchildren, Kayla Shrout , Branden Shrout, Cade Stober, and Faith Stober as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins and aunts.

Joanne was a loving and wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandma, and friend. She was taken way too soon and we will dearly miss her warmth and generosity but we know she is safe with her Lord in heaven.

Please join us in celebrating Joanne’s life. Following a family graveside service at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, there will be a Memorial Service held at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 5, 2011at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 2111-117th Ave NE, Lake Stevens, WA 98258.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made to your local animal shelter/charity or Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Arrangements under the direction of Purdy & Walters with Cassidy Funeral Home, Everett, WA.