Obituary of Mary Ellen Hansen

Written & provided by family “Oh you don’t know a hill of beans about nothin!” Was probably one of Mary Ellen Hansen’s last thoughts as she passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, April 3, 2025 in Othello Washington. Mary Ellen, 91, moved on to eternity surrounded by loved ones and memories in the same cozy home on 2nd Ave that she and her husband William D. Hansen (“Bill”) raised six children in since 1963. Photos of her children, 29 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren adorn the walls, alongside ancestors’ portraits and Bill’s stained glass creations. These are what mattered most. Mary Ellen was born on March 11, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the firstborn of William Frances Hughes and Mary Wright. She would soon be joined by three sisters, Ann, Sylvia and Frances, and a brother William (“Bill”). While attending Brigham Young University in 1953 she met Bill Hansen, and after a courtship that her parents did not approve of they were married in the Salt Lake LDS temple on September 17, 1954. Luckily for Bill, Mary Ellen did not meet her in-laws until after the wedding. The young couple eventually settled in Othello, WA with their three young sons, Chris, Jon and Jeff. While Bill taught at the High School, Mary Ellen took care of the children and the home, and a few years later along came Daniel, Andrew and Mary Jane. Mary Ellen loved singing and participated in the community Theater Guild and the annual Christmas Cantatas. She enjoyed quilting and won Best of Show in the Adam’s County fair for one of her creations. Mary Ellen loved children and spent over 25 years working as an Educational Assistant at Hiawatha Elementary School. Mary Ellen is survived by her husband Bill, her sister Sylvia Kim and brother Bill Hughes, and children Chris (Nancy), Jeff (Elisabeth), Daniel (Amy), Andrew (Lori) and Mary Jane (Russ). She is preceded in death by her sisters Frances Holtom (Hughes) and Ann Richards (Hughes), son Jon (Muncie), grandchildren Michael Hansen, Devan Hansen, Quinn Arnold, Korry Hansen and great grandson Everett Hansen. Funeral services: Saturday, April 12th at 11am The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 611 South 7th Avenue, Othello, WA Graveside service to follow at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens