Hansen, Shirley Elaine

Shirley Elaine Hansen was born on May 12, 1947 at the Coronation Hospital, precious daughter of Otto and Vivian (Wilson) Hansen of Brownfield, Ab.
Otto immigrated from Taars, Denmark and was one of a family of 11 children. He also was a soldier in the Danish Army and also the Canadian Army.
Vivian was born at her family home near Brownfield and was the eldest to four younger brothers.
Otto and Vivian worked very hard for local farmers and eventually their own mixed farm to give Shirley the best life that they could.
Shirley was raised on the family farm two miles north of Brownfield on Hwy 872.
A farm girl at heart, she loved to follow her dad around the farm and on farm errands to neighbours and surrounding towns.
She helped her mom too but preferred being outside and she always loved animals and nature.
Shirley Hansen had a very happy life and although she was an only child she always felt that she had many siblings from time spent with her life-long friends, the Sieppert, Maron and Wilson children.
Shirley attended Brownfield School for grades 1 – 12 and was a good student and she was also in the last graduating class at her school.
To obtain her Bachelor of Education, she attended Red Deer College and the University of Alberta.
She began her teaching career in a grade five classroom with 31 students at the Coronation School in September 1968 and continued teaching in the elementary grades at this school for 36 years until she retired in June 2004.
The school was very important to Shirley and she continued as a substitute teacher and classroom volunteer in the grade two classroom.
This school year marked 50 years that she had been involved with Coronation School. She was very proud of this and was also surprised it had been that long. Shirley volunteered right up until the week before she suddenly but peacefully passed away from a massive stroke.
Her daughter, Tracy Leanne Hansen was born on Grandma Vivian’s birthday, Jan. 3, 1976. Shirley felt so blessed to be a mother and the grandparents adored Tracy too.
Tracy grew up in Coronation and graduated from Coronation School in 1993. She attended Red Deer College and the University of Lethbridge to also become a teacher.
Tracy and Shirley went on many holidays in Canada and the US during the summer breaks from school. Often Grandma Vivian or dear friend, Dale McKay joined them and they had so much fun exploring and learning about different places. Shirley and Tracy loved to shop together, talk “school” together and to visit friends and relatives.
Shirley gained a son when Tracy married Ryan Ramsay on July 12, 1997. He and Shirley loved to hang out and joke around together. Ryan was her chore boy and a close friend. She spoiled him and treated him like her own.
Tracy and Ryan loved spending time with Vivian and Shirley. Tracy currently teaches grade two at Coronation School and loves it. Ryan is the proud owner and operator of Ramsay’s Stockman Center and Feed Processing Ltd and they also have a small ranch north of Coronation.
Tracy and Ryan have three wonderful children and they meant the world to Grandma Shirley. Their son, Ryley Kenneth Ramsay was born on July 8, 1998.
They were also blessed with a daughter, Rayanna Catherine Ramsay on March 22, 2001 and their family became complete with another daughter, Karly Danelle Ramsay on November 4, 2002.
Shirley loved that she was retired and could spend lots of time with her three treasured grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law. She helped with their childcare and also attended every school and extracurricular activity with excitement and encouragement. She was our number one fan!
Shirley also developed a lovely relationship with Ryley’s long-time girlfriend, Christine Roland.
Travelling was one of Shirley’s interests and she was very lucky to see many places and go on many trips with friends and family.
Friends were also very precious to Shirley. She had many, many friends, some of whom were her teaching colleagues and most were like her family. She enjoyed spending time visiting, laughing, playing games, going on outings and just having them around.
Shirley also adored Ryan’s family and she was very thankful for always being included in all of their family get-togethers and special occasions.
Shirley loved working with children, helping others to be the best they could be, caring for animals, playing cards and games, scrapbooking, card making, crocheting, watching her favourite TV shows, flower gardening, listening to music, but most of all, spending time with her fun-loving friends and beloved family.
If you knew Shirley, you were lucky and her happy spirit and loving smile showed that she loved her wonderful life.
Shirley Hansen is pre-deceased by her loving and devoted parents, Otto and Vivian Hansen (Wilson), twin infant siblings, Alfred and Alfreda Hansen.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Tracy Leanne Ramsay (Hansen), devoted son-in-law, Ryan Kenneth Ramsay, treasured grandchildren, Ryley Kenneth Ramsay, Rayanna Catherine Ramsay, Karly Danelle Ramsay and Ryley’s adored girlfriend, Christine Roland.
Shirley also has many aunts, cousins, friends, colleagues, students and neighbours that will miss her.
She will be loved and remembered always.
Funeral services will be held Wed., May 16, 2018 at Coronation Community Hall at 3:30 p.m., when school is done. Burial will have taken place prior to the service in Brownfield Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. 403-882-3141