This week we lost our Beloved Grandma Hansen. Gene's mom was so sick and about 2 weeks ago, she asked her family to start praying and fasting for her release. So on Wednesday March 4, 2009, late at night, she finally was able to have those prayers answered and was able to go to the other side to be met by her husband of 60 years, mother, father, and brothers. While we will miss her greatly, we know that she is happy being there and out of pain.
Grandma Hansen was such a strong woman. Because of a long-time illness which her husband had, for the most part, she was the only provider and parent to 9 children. Rose would have to be at work at a bakery at 3:00am where she would work long, hard hours, making only 40cents per hour. After which she would head home to her 1 bedroom home equipt with out-house to wash clothes by hand and cook for her 9 beautiful children. She was challenged at every turn, yet she never complained. She decided to make something out of her life no matter how hard it seemed. She personally told me how she really never made enough money to get through, yet she was determined to save her money. Having lived through the Great Depression, she was the most frugal woman I have ever known. Her belief was, "If you want something, save up for it, don't buy it on credit." Though it was hard for her to do this, she always managed to save money, and soon was able to build a home that she paid cash for. Everything she bought was paid for in cash and she prided herself in that.
Another thing Rose was passionate about was her gardening. We will miss going to her house in the spring and summer, to see all the beautiful different types of flowers and plants. It was something that kept our grandma young and alive. She also grew the best ever sugar pod peas, broccoli, tomatoes, zuchinni and yellow squash and chard that I have ever tasted! We loved to go to her house and have her show us around her garden, while picking and eating all the delicious veggies.
There was never a year in all the years that Gene and I have been married (23, to be exact) that Grandma didn't give us a beautiful quilt, handmade by her, for Christmas. We have so many beautiful quilts, made with love by Grandma that we will forever cherish!
Nearing the end of her life we were able to go to be with her often. At these times, she would ask Lani and Kiara to sing songs for her. She would sit there just "Beaming" as they sang for her and she would call them "Little Angels". I will never forget the beautiful smile that she had on her face and the peace I could feel coming from her. As a result, Lani and Kiara were asked to sing "Teach Me To Walk" at her funeral yesterday. They got up and sang for her for the last time, doing a beautiful job. I know she heard them and was smiling once again that beautiful smile.
I'm so thankful to have known Rose and for all the wonderful things she did for me in the last 23 years. She was always very kind and loving and she taught me so much! Just wanted her to know that I love her and will miss her very much!
