Debra (Debbie) Sue Hansen

Debra (Debbie) Sue Hansen, 55, of Renton, WA, passed away in her home surrounded by her family on Monday, May 6, 2013. Debbie was born in Downey, CA on October 23, 1957 to Edward E. and Patricia S. Miller.

A public memorial service will be held Monday May 13, 2013 at 3:30 PM at the Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton, WA following a private family internment ceremony. Reverends Kevin Hopkins and Cal Ainley will officiate.

After growing up in California, Debbie moved with her family to Oklahoma at the age of 11. As the daughter of a preacher, this was the first of several moves that later took her from Tulsa, OK to Cedar Falls, IA where she graduated from high school in 1975. After returning to Tulsa, where she worked for Sears, Debbie followed her parents to Issaquah, WA, where her father was the pastor of the Issaquah Nazarene Church. It was here that she met and married the son of the former pastor of the same church, Rodney Hansen.

Debbie and Rodney were married on June 2, 1979 in the old Nazarene church building positioned on the Issaquah Creek and Front Street with both fathers conducting the ceremony. This was the beginning of their life together. Debbie was the one and only love of Rodney’s life and his commitment to her has been a great example to us all. Rodney was by her side when she went to be with her Lord, just as he had been faithfully by her side for almost 34 years of marriage.

Debbie devoted her entire life to serving her husband and her two daughters, Stacy and Amanda (Mandy). Debbie was known for her incredible generosity and sensitivity to the needs of her family and friends. Family meant everything to her and she looked for ways to bring them together in the same place as often as possible, regularly helping with the travel expenses of those needing it.

Debbie loved children and taught Sunday school and children’s church for many years.

In recent years, it was her grandsons who were the focus of her life and her love. Travelling often to their second home in Moses Lake, Debbie and Rodney were able to be near their three oldest grandsons where fishing, sporting events, and relaxing were the norm. Debbie did not want to miss a single opportunity to be with her grandsons. The “Moses Lake House” was special to Debbie because it was primarily a gathering place for her family and special friends.

Debbie is preceded in death by her father, Rev. Edward E. Miller and her father-in-law, Rev. W. Gene Hansen.

She is survived by her husband, Rodney Hansen; daughter Stacy (husband Matt) Purcell of Moses Lake, WA; daughter Amanda (husband Adam) Sali of Kent, WA; brothers Danny (wife Jan) Miller, Jerry Miller, Kenny Miller all of Renton, WA; mother Pat (husband Dick) Van Sickle of Renton, WA; grandsons Jackson Purcell (9), JJ Purcell (7), Jonny Purcell (3), Hunter Sali (2) & her second Sali grandson expected to be delivered on Debbie’s birthday in October.

Debbie also leaves behind many other extended family members including her brothers-in-law Ryan (wife Shonee) Hansen (Sparks, NV), and Roland (wife Larissa) Hansen (Omak, WA); sister-in-law Rhonda (husband Mike) Stoffels (Las Vegas, NV); mother-in-law Nettie Hansen (Sparks, NV); nieces Valerie Wiens, Amber Whitney, Erica Hansen, Courtney Hansen, Abrey Hansen, Kiyanna & Kiara Ware, Madison Hansen, CJ Hansen, Kennedy Hansen, and Kaitlin Miller; nephews Bryson Hansen, Robbie Miller, Caleb Miller, Anders Hansen, and Wyatt Hansen; best friends Steve and Melanie Staton (Redmond, WA).

Memorials and flowers may be sent directly to the Greenwood Memorial Park in Debbie’s name.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Peter Hashisaki and Dr. Larry Greenblatt who cared so tenderly for Debbie over her 32-year battle with the long-term illness that eventually took her life.