Jane Hansen

You are the giver of life

And the one who takes it away.

How fleeting are our moments,

How short is our stay.

No one has the power over life and death,

Except you Oh Lord, who ordains the time.

The time to live and the time to die.

Now, I will enjoy this moment, for today is mine.

I decided to write this ahead of time, as many of you don’t know where I came from but do know where I am now.

I was born in a small town in the hills of Southern Ohio, the youngest of three children. Our whole life revolved around our little United Brethern church we attended. My father supported my mother in insisting we children go to Sunday School and Church although he usually went fishing on Sundays. When I finished my education in Hillsboro, Ohio I wended my way to the big city of Dayton where I went to work in civil Service at Wright Air Field where I met and married a brand new Lieutenant, named George. Shortly after we married we moved to Chicago, his birthplace and he became attached to what used to be O’Hare Air Force Base, being attached to the 437th Troop Carrier wing we had one child born there, a son, Michael, who was a toddler when the 437th was called to Japan. We enjoyed life in the Air Force but separations were difficult. Eventually George went on a reserve status with a mobilization day requirement. George went to work with a local company and was transferred to Racine, WI. As Sales Manager for the state of Wisconsin. I got bored with golf and bowling and housework and went back to school to learn some new skills and eventually went to work as Office Manager of an Office Equipment Company.

We went the way of the world for awhile but started attending church and got into Bible Studies taking courses with some professors from a local theology school at which time we learned what a Christian really is: Believing in the Lord Jesus as Savior and accepting Him into our lives. We went on in training to become teachers in the Bethel Series and Sunday School. One of our delights was to have Bible Studies in our home with Sisters from our local Dominican Order plus other Catholics who had never studied Bible. After retirement, we moved to California to be with our only son and family, having had three grandchildren.

I have enjoyed being on the Board of Christian Women’s Club for 18 years plus activities with Forest Home auxiliary and Meals On Wheels. Classes at Norman Center and etc.

Now the Lord has called me and it is time to go.

So please release me and I will be on my way.

Jesus went before me and prepared my home,

So I and all who know Him will have a place to stay.

Those of you whom I have left behind,

I hope will spend a short time to grieve,

As life goes on and you all must prepare

For your own time—this world to leave..

My prayer is that you will do as I did,

Jesus Christ your Savior to receive,

As I hope to see you in heaven some day,

If only you will acknowledge Him and believe.

-Jane