Gladys Elizabeth Hansen

Gladys Hansen, 89, of Lander, passed away peacefully at Central Wyoming Hospice, on March 17, St. Patrick's Day.

She was born March 12, 1925, in Pueblo, Colorado, to the late Oliver and Fannie Frazier of Chugwater, Wyoming. Gladys began her schooling in a one-room schoolhouse in Altus, Wyoming. Her father's job as a traveling salesman for Stark Brothers' Nursery took her to many schools across the West and Midwest, before landing in Denver, Colorado, where she graduated from East High School. She married Taylor Danley in 1946, and was a loving stepmother to his three small children - Marguerite, Carolyn, and Lois. They divorced in 1953. Gladys met Kenneth Hansen, the love of her life, in 1954. They were married on Christmas Day, 1954. They had four children - Susan, Julie, David and Chris.

Gladys was first and foremost, a wife and mother - which she felt was the "best career ever" for women. She involved herself in her children's lives and of other children in the community through her leadership in 4-H, Girl Scouts, Jr. Bowling, Lander High School Drama and Band parents, and both the Lander and Riverton Methodist Churches. One of the proudest moments of Gladys' life came when she was recognized as Wyoming Mother of the Year in 1982.

Gladys loved working with the public - where other people collect knickknacks, she collected people. If Gladys "adopted" you, you became part of her family, and she made it a point to keep in touch. Many of her friendships have continued 30+ years.

Gladys is survived by her four children - Susan (Steve) Hansen-Barber of Kingston, Id., Julie (Burt) Freese of Lander, Wy., David Hansen of Natick, Mass. and Chris (Jennifer Kurtz) Hansen of Boulder, Colo., and three stepdaughters - Marguerite, Carolyn, and Lois. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Fannie, her husband, Kenneth.

Memorial donations can be made in Gladys' name to the American Cancer Society and the Lander United Methodist Church.

A celebration of Gladys' life will be held on Saturday, March 29 at 11am at the Lander Methodist Church. Reception to follow at the church. Private graveside services will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Riverton later in the day.

To share your memories of Gladys or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.