JoAnne Hansen
January 31, 2007

JoAnne Hansen was born January 2, 1932 in Spirit Lake, IA; the second daughter and second of four children born to Leslie A. and Leona M. Weber Booton, Sr. She graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1950.

JoAnne and Wayne Thomas Hansen were united in marriage in Canton, SD on August 20, 1951. They first settled in Spirit Lake; then moved to Algona in the mid 1950's. She was employed at Municipal Utilities for several years, and then assisted Wayne in the start-up and expansion of Hansen Construction Company.

When she was young, she enjoyed art, fishing and roller skating. Over the years, she developed extensive collections of Santa Clauses, "Hear No-See No-Speak No Evil" figurines, angels, bells, and Elvis memorabilia. She delighted in receiving pretty dishes as gifts and "treasured her stuff!" Jo loved going to casinos, shopping with Dee, traveling, playing cards, humorous gifts and pranks, and tending to her yard and flower gardens. She was a member of the Algona Noon Lion's Club and held many officer positions. Jo enjoyed her club meetings, dining out, and decorating and preparing for Christmas. Her other interests included attending reunions, visits from her children and grandsons, caring for pets, trying new recipes and staying close to heart with her siblings and their families.

She loved game shows, crossword puzzles, drawing, crafts, canvassing for Democrats, a good joke, and any new experience. Jo and Wayne had a passion for piecing together complicated jigsaw puzzles. Jo's family will always remember her barbeque ribs, caramels, and holiday salads. She was a founding member of the "Tea Tyme Tarts," the first Red Hat Ladies Group in Algona. Jo and three close friends who loved Elvis and traveling became the "Memphis Belles" and set off on many adventures. Jo also played cards with many groups including the "500" club and the "I Love Poker" gals.

JoAnne wants to be remembered as an organized woman with a positive attitude and a great sense of humor, who had a willingness to assist anyone and anything she could.

Jo died at her home on Wednesday, January 31, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 75. Surviving are her husband Wayne of Algona and her two children, Cindy Hansen of Arnolds Park, IA and Robert 'Bob' Hansen and LuJean Welander of Algona; her two grandsons, Brandon and Trent Welander, of Omaha, NE and Boston, MA, respectively; and special family friend, Lynne Sims-Taylor, of Arnolds Park. JoAnne is also survived by her sister, Barb Dickinson of Spirit Lake; brother Ron and wife Enie of Arnolds Park; brother Leslie A. Booton, Jr. ("Junior") of Milford, IA; and sisters and brothers-in-law Velma and Clifford Netsch, Delores Sykes, Roger and Delores Hansen and Clifford and Betty Mae Hansen. JoAnne will be dearly missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Leona Booton, Sr.

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