"So sorry for your loss. Denise was a strong, beautiful lady. "
In loving memory of
Denise Hanson
May 31, 1966 - November 7, 2019
WINDSOR HEIGHTS, IOWA - Denise Lucille Hanson, age 53 of Windsor Heights, Iowa, died November 7, 2019 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, IA. A memorial service will be held at Howard Street Christian Church in Colfax, IA on November 12, 2019 at 1:30pm with Pastor Tom Burns officiating with special remarks from Chaplin Mary Pink.
Burial will be at Pleasant Hill cemetery in Prairie City, IA, following the service.
Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on November 11, 2019 at Howard Street Christian Church with family present 6-8pm.
Denise Lucille Orrell was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 31, 1966, to Leonard (Lynn) and Edna Lucille (Shera) Orrell. She grew up in Prairie City, IA and attended Prairie City Community Schools. She graduated from high school in 1984 and attended Des Moines Area Community College where she obtained an Administrative Secretarial Diploma. Denise was married to the love of her life - James (Jim) Eugene Hanson on May 1, 1999 in Leland, Iowa. They were blessed with one child, Erica Lynn Orrell who was Denise's greatest accomplishment.
Denise was active in the Howard Street Christian Church while living in Colfax and loved working with children. She was also a Girl Scout Leader for several years. She was the unofficial family photographer for both the Hanson and Orrell families. She enjoyed scrapbooking--but more than anything she loved making memories by spending time with her family and friends. She believed that by putting her faith in God and believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God ... everything else in life would fall into place.
In addition to loving life and her family, Denise spent her career as an administrative assistant beginning in 1984 with the State of Iowa and ending at Principal Financial Group. She held various administrative positions including leadership and enjoyed mentoring and coaching others most of all. She made lifelong friends and enjoyed the people she was grateful to work with and know.
Denise is survived by her beloved husband Jim, their daughter Erica Lynn Orrell & son-in-law Tyler Kasischke; three grandchildren: Carter James, Austin Tyler & Jackson Dean Kasischke who gave her more joy then she could have ever imagined. Her mother-in-law Shirley Hanson. Her brother Dean & sister-in-law & friend Donna Nolin; her sister Diane & brother-in-law Dan Winegar; her sister-in-law Kathy Triggs; her sister-in-law Kristine & brother-in-law Jerome Christianson and special cousins Debbie (Jo) Barratt, Karen (Mike) Routh, Becky Bruns, Aunt Mary Moore and Uncle Verl & Aunt Sandy DeRaad. Denise is also survived by her nephews, niece, and cousins that were very special to her. Nephews: Johnathan & Tyler Triggs, Colton Christianson; Mark & wife Brynne Winegar; David & wife Jessica Winegar; niece Amy Jo & husband Aaron Sterrett; and cousins Sarah Barratt, Kristen Crozier, Cameron Lantry, Cory Routh. She loved being a great aunt to Danali Rae & Gunner Reid Winegar; Dalton, Hudson & Josalynn Joy Winegar; Jaden Lee Sterrett and Titan & Odessa Zahradnik.
Denise was preceded in death by her parents Lynn and Edna Orrell, father-in-law Donald Hanson; grandparents: Gordon and Ruth Orrell, Emery and Lillie Shera and her beloved cousin, Kyle Crozier.
The family will be giving memorials to LifeServe Blood Center as the gracious gift of blood was critical in Denise's continued fight the last 2 years.
Tributes
"Sorry to hear of this news. Thoughts and prayers to the family through this tough time. May you find comfort in the memories you have."
"My thoughts and prayers to the family. I worked with Denise at Principal and we were both members of the IAAP Organization. We enjoyed sharing pictures and stories of our grandchildren. Rest in peace!"
"Denise was our girl scout leader. She did so much for us and was such a good person. She will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to her family. Thinking of you. ??"
"Denise was always kind and very brave. Her faith was evident. I am so sorry she is gone."
"I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. I worked with her at the principal. She was a wonderful woman and considered her a friend. She loved her family and spoke of her daughter with affection. Her marriage and later grandchildren were a joy. She is gone too soon. You have my sympathy. "
"I knew her briefly for a year at Principal before she had to leave due to extenuating medical concerns. About 16 of us from my church visited over Memorial Day weekend in 2016 to help tear out two bushes and a small tree in front of her house and talk to her about her love for Jesus and the physical and familial difficulties she was facing. She was such a sweet person, very kind and generous."
"Her amazing faith and her strong will to fight for life so she could have more time with her family is what I admired the most. She was always kind and such a loving mother, wife and grandmother, which I had the pleasure of witnessing for years. Heaven now shines brighter, I will miss you my friend. ~ Gail"
"Denise was the sweetest soul and a true friend to everyone. She was an inspiring warrior who courageously battled her illness with incredible faith, She was taken far too soon and will be missed and long-remembered. I?m lifting Jim, Erica, and the grandkids in prayer during this difficult time. With Sympathy, Tammy Pascuzzi"
"Denise was the little sister (like all young siblings) a pain in the neck at times, but we made a lot of memories, some good, some not so good. We gave her so much flack about taking all the pictures, but if it had not been for her persistence and putting that camera in our faces we would not have all the picture memories that we do have. I can not wait to see all the pictures that she will be producing with Jesus and the rest of the family. Love you Sis"