Mark J Hanses

On May 11, 2017, Mark J. Hanses, 79, passed into the loving arms of his Lord after fighting a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). In dealing with this illness for the past 5 years, Mark gave new meaning to the word “courage”. His late sister, Lois (Hanses) Champoux who also died of ALS, shared with Mark her definition of the word “courage” and he lived by it every day: “Courage is the capacity to go ahead in spite of fear or pain”. The family might also add that he did so with an amazing sense of humor and grace.

Mark was born in Yakima on February 26, 1938 to Charles and Agnes Hanses and was the seventh out of eight children. His siblings included Jim, Ruth, Chuck, Joyce, Barbara, Lois and Tom. Mark attended St. Paul’s Grade School, Marquette High School and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Seattle University in 1962. It was during his time at SU that Mark decided to follow one of his engineering passions and he dropped out for a quarter to build a wood in-board water ski boat. Little did he know at the time that this decision would eventually lead him to meeting Rita Carnevali whose family also was into boating. Their lifelong romance began while water skiing at Lake O’Sullivan and was followed by marriage on September 8th 1962 at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The next chapter in Mark’s life included going to work for Boeing in Seattle in their Minute Man Missile Program. It was during this time that Mark and Rita were blessed with the birth of their son, Mark. While he enjoyed his position at Boeing, the pull to return to Yakima was even greater which ultimately led him to secure a job with a brand new company called Commodity Packaging which was co-founded by one of Mark’s life long friends, Jere Irwin. With this employment, Mark had found his niche with a more hands-on approach to designing. It was during this period, that Mark and Rita were blessed by the birth of their daughter, Terri, and then three years later, their son Mike.

But, change once more presented opportunities and Mark found himself being asked to move to Fresno California in 1976 to become the Engineering Manager of a company called Western Foam Pak. The family had mixed emotions about leaving Yakima but at the same time excited about the new adventure. After 5 delightful years in Fresno, Mark and family moved back to Yakima and he became the manufacturing manager at Shields Bag & Printing. Thirteen years later, Mark joined up with Greg Anderson in a business they formed together called Design Service Corp. Mark then retired in 2011.

It was during this period, after returning back to Yakima, that Mark enjoyed life to the very fullest. Part of that was being back with family but another was the opportunity to get back into boating. But, this time instead of a water ski boat, Mark decided to upgrade to a salt water boat – a change that was inspired by his friend, Peter.

This new adventure took Mark and family up and down the coast of British Columbia for the next 25 years and also provided them with a “home away from home” at Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle. It was truly a memorable period in his life and those memories were greatly enhance when fellow boaters and friends from Yakima, Lili and Don Weippert, became dock neighbors in the Marina. Mark loved every aspect of boating especially the salmon fishing, crabbing and exploring but the best part was belonging to a family of boaters. It was during this period that friends were made to last a lifetime.

Mark’s life was also enriched by his other passion which was golfing at the Yakima Country Club. He became very involved with the Men’s Association at the Club and was then asked to serve on their Board of Directors. He also continued his golfing passion during the winters by spending time in Palm Desert golfing with his brother, Tom. However, it was in the winter of 2012 that he came to the realization that his golf game was being affected and Mark knew at that point what was causing his favorite sport to come to an end. And, thus began his journey with ALS – a journey whereby the disease would take a terrible toll on his body but never his spirit. And, it was that indomitable spirit that led his many friends to want to join him every Tuesday for lunch which was aptly dubbed – “Tuesdays with Mark”! The gatherings were highlighted by jokes, laughter, political discussions and post-game sports analysis but the best part was the love, compassion and concern that was shared by all for Mark. The family will always be grateful to Mark’s faithful friends who brought so much joy into his life. And, that appreciation also includes his business partner, Greg Anderson, who visited Mark every Friday to relive the “good ole days” when both were involved in machine design, jeeping, snowmobiling and epic camping trips to Ross Lake. Mark was blessed with the best of friends but that blessing was also marked by sadness when he lost one of his closest friends and fellow “Tuesday’s with Mark” buddies, Tom Gasseling.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother and father, Charles and Agnes Hanses and siblings: Jim Hanses, Ruth Williams, Chuck Hanses, Joyce Brusic, Barbara Hanses and Lois Champoux. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rita Hanses, and children Mark (fiancé Kai) Hanses of Seattle, Terri Hanses and Mike (Kristin) Hanses both of Yakima as well as his beloved grandchildren: Matt, Sandy, Andrew and Kendra Hanses, Sam Soliday, Alex and Sam Scherer. Mark is also survived by his brother Tom (Cherie) Hanses of Yakima and numerous nephews and nieces.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church, (5315 Tieton Drive) on Friday, May 19, 2017 with a reception following in the gathering Hall. There will be a private family committal at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery on Monday, May 22, 2017.

The family would like to thank Memorial Home Health and Hospice whose care and devotion greatly enhanced Mark’s quality of life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.ALS.net/donate or to the Cottage in the Meadow Building Fund.

Mark’s life and enduring faith was captured by a poem entitled “Safely Home” and the first two stanzas would be his lasting message to family and friends:

“I am home in Heaven, dear ones;

Oh, so happy and so bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty

In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,

Every restless tossing passed;

I am now at peace forever,

Safely home in Heaven at last.