Jo Dean Hansen, 88 of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away on Friday, Feb. 24, at 8:47 a.m., of natural causes.

She was born on July 27, 1928, to Marion Cecil Draper and Doris Katherine Lawton (Draper) in Craig, Colorado. She married Robert E. Hansen in Jackson, Wyoming, on June 1, 1946. Together they had three children, Ralph, Steve and Kathy. She loved basketball and received a scholarship to University of Wyoming, but opted to get married instead. She belonged to the Does (where her husband also served as exalted ruler of the Elks). She was active in the Homemakers in Jackson. She had a passionate love for the outdoors, especially when it came to riding horses. One love of her life was her horse, Solomon.

She also loved cross-country skiing and fishing off of Jackson Lake and camping with her family. Later she became an avid bowler and golfer. They had an RV lot in Star Valley and spent a lot of time in the summer golfing and fishing. They traveled the country in their RV, camping and boating. Jo Dean was an amazing cook, and over the years, she was able to share her love of everything and her and her mother's recipes with the children and grandchildren. (Yum, biscuits and gravy!)

Jo Dean is survived by her children, Ralph (Linda), of Central Point, Oregon, Steve (Susan), of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Kathy (Dave) Peters, of Tucson, Arizona; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and sister, Sally.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents; and her sister, Bobby.

Jo Dean came from a very special generation before cell-phones and computers, where honesty and handshakes were honored and handwork and paperwork was a lifestyle. Her whole family will deeply miss the example of ingenuity and tenacity demonstrated by her disappearing generation.

Arrangements made under the direction of Buck Miller Hann Funeral Home, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Online condolences may done at www.buckmillerhann.com.



Published in Post Register Mar. 1, 2017