Kathleen "Kathy" E. Hansen's Obituary
Kathleen “Kathy” Elizabeth. Hansen, age 69, passed away on May 30, 2024, following a long and courageous battle with idiopathic interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. She was born in Detroit, MI, on June 19, 1954, to Donald and Marilyn (Brown) Hilliard. Kathy began her caretaking career at age 17 as a Certified Nurse Aide, and graduated with an Associate’s Degree as an LPN in 1982. Her focus as a nurse became the field of home healthcare, in which she worked for 41 years. Kathy's dedication to excellence in home healthcare cultivated many loving relationships. The People Upstairs dragged Kathy from Detroit to Rhinelander Wisconsin in 1971, and they also dragged her future husband, Ken from Long Island, NY to Rhinelander, Wisconsin in 1966. Following what has long since been regarded as a plan, in January of 1972 The People Upstairs then plopped Kathy next to Ken in study hall. They met at age 17, married at the ripe old age of 19, and in spite of a few “hiccups” were blessed with over 50 magnificent years of married life. Kathy enjoyed reading, puzzles, crafts, nature, concerts, plays, movies, roller coasters, and of course spending time with friends and family, both biological and extended. Her laugh was infectious, her love was powerful, and her hugs could heal. Kathy's artistic flair with seasonal decorations always brightened up the house, with strawberries, frogs, birch trees, and tufted titmice as favorites. She was an active member in the recovery community, celebrating 35 years of continuous sobriety on February 21, 2024. Kathy is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth Hansen, two children: Jessica T. (Brian) Sneller and Nathaniel J. Hansen, two grandchildren: Oliver Sneller and Gabriel Sneller, brothers Robert Hilliard, Don Hilliard, sister Dineen Hilliard, brother Bill Hilliard, brother from another mother Mike Harold, forever friends Daisy and Steve Phillips, and a myriad of friends and extended family members of choice. She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald Hilliard and Marilyn Irelan; by stepfather Albert Irelan; by stepmother Sue Arnold, half-brother Cliff Arnold, and sister from another mother Jackie Harold. Support from The Assistance Fund removed what would have been an insurmountable financial burden regarding medications. Memorial contributions can be made in Kathy’s name to The Assistance Fund at tafcares.org. There will be an open house Celebration of Life on August 16, 2024, from 4:00PM – 6:00PM at the Lee Chapel where food and beverages will be available. Arrangements by the Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI, 49444. Please sign the family’s online guestbook and share memories with them at sytsemafh.com
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