Esther M. Hansen's Obituary
Esther Hansen, 94, of Puyallup, died peacefully on March 16, 2005. She joined her beloved husband, Reed, who passed away only weeks earlier on February 3. Esther was born April 15, 1910 in Odessa, WA to John and Helene Schimke. She graduated from Odessa High School and the State Normal School at Cheney, now Eastern Washington University. She taught grade school in Raymond, WA seven years and at Meeker Elementary in Puyallup for three years. On July 2, 1939, Esther married Reed Hansen in Odessa. She dedicated her life to family and friends, church, gardening, flower arranging and the home. She returned to the Pierce county school system as a substitute teacher in the late 50s, continuing until retirement. She was a member of the Variety Garden Club, the Trinity Methodist Church in Tacoma where she taught Sunday school, AN Chapter P.E.O. in Puyallup and the United Methodist Church in Puyallup where she worked to welcome new members. She was always eager to make new friends. She was a good listener and her warm smile will not be forgotten.Esther is survived by her daughter, Margaret, and son-in-law, Rainer Scheck, of Blaubeuren, Germany; grandsons Oliver, Daniel, Michael and Andreas, all of Germany; sister, Johanna Sandvig, of Bellingham and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Reed; son, Tommy, who died at age 13; sisters and brothers, Emma Geisler, Bertha Schimke, Pauline Schimke, Alfred Schimke, Gustav Schimke, Leo Schimke, Ruth Weber, Harold Schimke and Edna Hyatt.A memorial service to celebrate the lives of Reed and Esther will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 10, 2005 at the Puyallup United Methodist Church when family members from Germany will be able to attend.Memorials may be made to the Puyallup United Methodist Church, Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup or a charity of choice.Reed Hansen, 95, of Puyallup, died peacefully at home on February 3, 2005. Born February 9, 1909 in Brigham City, Utah to Simeon and Alva Lillie Hansen, he grew up in Browning, MT, Alberta Canada and Spokane, WA where he graduated from high school in 1927. He received a B.S. in Agriculture from Washington State College. Reed began work in Pierce County as an agricultural extension agent for WSC in 1934 and retired as an Associate Professor of Poultry Science at the Western Washington Research and Extension Center in Puyallup. On July 2, 1939, Reed married Esther Schimke in Odessa, WA. He enjoyed fishing and hiking; was an avid gardener and loved cruising the waters of Puget Sound and British Columbia. He was a member of the Tacoma Power Squadron for 52 years, an educational organization dedicated to making boating safer and more fun. He was a longtime active member of the United Methodist Church.A dedicated and loving family man, Reed is survived by his wife of 65 years, Esther; daughter Margaret and husband Rainer Scheck of Blaubeuren, Germany; grandsons Oliver, Daniel, Michael and Andreas; brother Ted Hansen and wife Donna of Pryor, OK and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son Thomas, who passed away at age 13; brother Herman Hansen and sister Betty Yahn.A private family chapel service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 10, 2005 at the Puyallup United Methodist Church when family members from Germany will be able to attend.Memorials may be made to the Puyallup United Methodist Church, Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup or a charity of choice.
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