Kathryn Ann "Kathy" Hansen

Kathryn Ann "Kathy" Petersen Hansen peacefully passed away on April 20, 2023.  She was surrounded by her family in Castle Rock, Colorado.  Kathy was born on January 18, 1951 in Ely, Nevada; the youngest of the three children of Maun Tyer Petersen and Gwyn Christiansen Petersen.  Her father was killed in combat in Korea two months prior to her birth.  Her grandfather, Lenard Christiansen, became her father figure growing up.  Kathy gained a love of flowers from her grandfather who owned the local flower shop.  This love of flowers and floral arrangement continued her entire life.  In addition to working with her grandfather, she worked for Veldkamp’s Flowers for several years and thereafter often arranged flowers and corsages for weddings, funerals, school dances, and other special events.  She created her final floral arrangement 29 days before her passing.

Kathy graduated in 1969 from White Pine High School in Ely, Nevada where she played the flute and was active in the marching band.  She had the opportunity to march in the Rose Bowl parade in Pasadena, California.  Her cherished memories of these years inspired her daughter to play the flute and, later, Kathy restored her flute and passed it on to her granddaughter who also played.

At the age of 14, Kathy met her high school sweetheart, David Kent Hansen (Kent).  They dated in high school but parted ways shortly thereafter.  Kathy attended Dixie State College in Saint George, Utah for two years and graduated from Weber State University in Odgen, Utah with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood development.  Over the Christmas holiday in 1972, Kent proposed to Kathy, much to her surprise. She accepted and both had to break upcoming dates with other people. Kathy and Kent were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 16, 1973.

Together, Kathy and Kent raised six children who were the joys of their lives. Kathy did her best to show her genuine love and concern for each one.  She never passed up an opportunity to serve or help them.  Kent’s career took the family to Ely, Nevada, Sacramento, California, and finally to Littleton, Colorado where they settled into their forever home.  In each location, she did her very best to help her children adjust and settle into their new surroundings.  She even took on the challenge of teaching one of her children to read when the new school system was not adequate.

Kathy was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in which she faithfully served in several callings.  She served as Ward Relief Society President while she had small children and as Ward Young Women’s President when her oldest daughters were teenagers.  In later years, she was active in the Single Adult organization with her church.  Prior to her falling ill, she was called as a Temple Ordinance Worker for the Denver, Colorado Temple and was excited to fulfill this assignment.  She had a deep love for her Savior and Heavenly Father.  She frequently listened to podcasts, General Conference talks, and BYU devotionals in her spare time.

Kathy was widowed in 2003 when Kent passed away from cancer. Kathy was a single mother to her, then, 14-year-old daughter from this point forward.  Kathy worked for My Twinn Doll Company and took her youngest with her on an extended work assignment to China.  They explored China together and climbed the Great Wall of China while Kathy’s foot was in boot recovering from surgery.  After this, Kathy had the “travel bug” and travelled as frequently as possible.  She visited Italy and Singapore and made many other stateside trips to visit children, family, and friends all over the country.

Kathy joyfully welcomed 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild into her life.  She loved each one dearly and especially enjoyed watching them as small children.  She was affectionately given the name “Kiddo” by her oldest grandson and was so called for many years.

Kathy is survived by her loving family: Children: Amy Camille Sloan (Kevin), Ann Jeanette Winfrey (Tyson), Karen Sue Croft (Dixon), Eric Kent Hansen, Abraham Lenard Hansen (Nick Losito), and Kelsey Elizabeth Livingston (Kacey); Grandchildren: Jaren Sloan, Cierra Woodside (Alec), Emma Sloan, Savannah Sloan, Olivia Sloan, Taydom Winfrey, Vilate Winfrey, Ellyse Winfrey, Ryder Winfrey, Titan Croft, Maddelin Scott, Harlan Hansen, MacKenzie Hansen, and Lyla Livingston; Great Grandchild: Brenlee Woodside; and her sister, Susan Martineau

Kathy was greeted in Heaven by her husband (Kent), mother (Gwyn), father (Maun Tyre), brother (Maun Tyre Jr.), and grandson (Everest Croft).

The Funeral service for Kathy will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday May 2, 2023 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 910 West Ridge Road, Littleton, CO  80120. For those wishing to participate virtually, please use this link on Tuesday at 10:00am: https://zoom.us/j/95565534379

Burial will follow at Littleton City Cemetery, 6155 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado  80120.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/

Family and friends are invited to share a memory of Kathy or condolences with her family by sharing on the adjoining tribute wall. Thank you.