Arlene Hanson's Obituary
Arlene Hazel Carlson was born in Sedro Woolley, Washington to Hazel and Oscar Carlson. Her young years were spent living on a small farm during the Great Depression, and then moving to South Tacoma. Arlene excelled in school, graduated early, and was working as secretary of Stewart Junior High School when she was only 16 years old. She married Cy Hanson in 1941, losing her job at the school because of this. They bought the family home on South Lawrence Street at that time, and lived in it their whole married lives, 68 years.
Arlene and Cy had four children, Jon, Marilyn, Christine, and Dennis. The home was a magnet to the kids’ friends, who hung around because of Arlene’s acceptance of them, humorous teasing, and genuine interest in their lives. Rainer, a German exchange student, especially responded to her, and has remained in touch through all these years.
Arlene returned to work when Dennis started school, and was the office secretary at Edison and then Whitman Elementary Schools, until retiring at age 60. She was an expert typist with outstanding organizational skills that kept her schools, and her life, running smoothly.
She was an active member of Asbury Methodist Church and when it disbanded, she had been the longest living member of the church. In their youth, she and Cy were in the Epworth League, and through the years the church was the backbone of Arlene’s life.
She loved the water, remembered waterfront property at Cromwell as a child, and loved more than anything their beach property on the Puget Sound, dubbed Hanson’s Hideaway...camping in the tent, big beach parties and boat rides, gatherings at the cabin, and the beautiful views of both Mt. Rainier and the Olympics.
Arlene was always interested in drama and acted in a number of plays at the Tacoma Little Theater. Over the years she also produced 16 plays herself, carefully selecting each play, casting and directing, in charge of every aspect, using Asbury’s basement stage, with pie served at the tables during intermission. Her plays were of professional quality and gave her the greatest creative satisfaction of her life.
She and Cy traveled to many parts of the world during their retirements. Arlene also loved Elderhostel adventures with the educational classes and field trips. She had a hunger for knowledge, was fascinated with languages and words, and read avidly. She enjoyed activities with their Samoan friends, including an authentic visit to the islands, and attending luaus and celebrations in Tacoma.
Arlene loved her family, adored her grandkids (and their babies), was so proud of everyone, loved get-togethers, games around the table, laughing and socializing. She enjoyed her friends, mostly lifelong, many from Asbury. Arlene ended her journey at the Life Manor Retirement Home where she was contented in her cute, private apartment. She had a wonderful long life, and will be remembered for her supportive ways with people.
She is survived by her four children and her daughters-in-law, Diane and Doreen: her grandkids Dennis, Sonja, Aaron, Greta and Grace, and the in-laws Yon, Patrick and John; plus her great grandchildren Marianne, Erika, August, Fiona, Ian, Shaun and Alastair. Her surviving sisters-in-law are Janet, Jean, Virginia and Dee. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Alice and brother Ralph, her husband Cy, her son-in-law Richard and her brothers-in-law Clair and Vince.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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