Dorothy Jean Hanson, 75

Dorothy Jean Hanson of Mesquite, Nevada, formerly Kalispell, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2017 in Missoula.

Dorothy was the second child born to Alvin and Le Verna (Rensvold) Hagen of Wolf Point on July 26, 1942, joining brother Rick, followed by brothers Lee and Ron and sister Mary. At the age of 7 the family moved to Whitefish living there for three years, then moving to Collier Lane in Kalispell where they could see the glow of the city dump off to the east, later settling on Third Avenue East.

Dorothy grew up spending time with her brothers and neighborhood kids swimming in the Stillwater River and ice skating there and Woodland Park.

Having a father that loved to play music, she acquired a love for it also. She learned to play the clarinet in elementary school, continuing through high school band, later learning to play the accordion, her favorite, fiddle and piano.

Dorothy attended school in Wolf Point, Whitefish and Kalispell, graduating from Flathead County High School in 1960.

June 3 , 1961, she married C. Arthur Hanson in Kalispell, moving to his family’s farm where she learned all aspects of farming. They had four daughters, Sandy, Linnette, Lorraine and Connie.

During her years in the Stillwater community she was a leader for Stillwater Beavers and B & F Livestock 4-H clubs, active in Merry Matrons and Crafti-Anna’s Home demonstration clubs, West Valley Fire Department Auxiliary, Stillwater Lutheran Church, Northwest Montana Accordion Association and Eagle’s Auxiliary. She was awarded the Flathead Extension Homemaker of the Year for 1987-1988.

In her younger years Dorothy worked numerous jobs including the Cherry Warehouse, Gambles and the telephone company. When her daughters were in their teens she went to work for Dr. John Francis, then Equity Supply (now CHS) and Lilly Miller Seeds.

In June of 1999 she and Art divorced, sending her on new adventures to work at the Flying E Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona, and JJJ Wilderness Ranch in Augusta. La Salle Lighting and Alpine Lighting finished her full-time working career.

Through her participation in the Accordion Association she met Joe Bauer of Missoula; they were married Aug. 13, 2005. This added six stepchildren to Dorothy’s family.

Many trips back and forth from Montana to Salome, Arizona, and Mesquite followed. Wintering in the south included playing lots of accordion music with friends and neighbors. Summer brought the return to Montana and various jobs — at Alpine Lighting, Smith Memorial Daycare, Northwest Montana Fair and sugar beet harvest in Sidney.

Dorothy enjoyed going on adventures with her grandchildren, giving them history lessons, attending concerts, sports activities and whatever else came along, usually including an ice cream stop.

On July 2 Dorothy made her last trip home to Montana. Shortly after arriving she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other complications, which quickly brought her journey to an end.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, and sister Mary Schlegel.

She is survived by her husband, Joe; daughters, Sandy (Greg) Evenson and Linnette Thorp, both of Kalispell, Lorraine (Les) Knudson of Havre, and Connie (Todd) Evenson of Gallatin Gateway; grandchildren, Chance (Codi) Evenson of Kalispell, Josie Evenson of Sidney, Jayme Evenson and Tia Evenson of Kalispell, Emily Thorp of Wilsall, Cole Thorp of Kalispell, J.C. (Brandy) Hanson of Big Sandy, and Kale, Ryan, Aspen and Erynn Evenson of Gallatin Gateway; great-granddaughters, Mc Kenlee and Sawyer Evenson and Oaklynn Goff of Kalispell, also a great-grandson on the way; brothers, Rick (Rena) Hagen and Lee (Fay) Hagen, both of Kalispell, and Ron (Bobbi) Hagen of Columbia Falls.

She is also survived by her husband’s children and spouses, Dominic (Janelle), Troy (Glenda), Kifflin, Joe (Kim), Kristin and, Scott (Randi) Bauer and grandchildren, Zachary, Bozeman, Syterra, Jetta, Autumn, Max, Jaycee, Callan, Phillip and Penelope, all of the Missoula area; one aunt, Irene Toavs, of Wolf Point; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, at Stillwater Free Lutheran Church with Pastor Craig Scavo officiating. A potluck reception will follow at Centennial Farm pond.

In lieu flowers the family suggests memorials to Kisses 2 Heaven, Caring Bridge or their choice.