Kathryn Janet Hanson

Madison/Evansville - Kathryn Janet Hanson died peacefully August 9, 2012 at The Heights Assisted Living, Evansville, WI. She was 96 years old. Kathryn was born on November 18, 1915 to Thomas J. and Cora (Ihland) Conners in Madison. She married Herman "Red" Hanson on June 15, 1940, who along with her parents and sister, La Von Mildred Conners, preceded her in death. Kathryn attended Madison Central High School and University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Home Economics. She was active in Girl Scouts, the Red Cross, and Madison Civics Club. Kathryn loved watercolor, rosemal, and playing bridge. She also enjoyed a long career as Administrative Secretary at the University of Wisconsin in the Department of Geophysical and Polar Research. Kathryn was a loving mother to her two daughters, Janet (Douglas) Cooper of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and Joanne (John) Chapin of Madison. The special joys of Kathryn's life were her beloved grandchildren, who always referred to her as "Honey": Douglas (Keri) Cooper of Winnipeg, Kevin (Angela) Cooper also of Winnipeg, Dr. William (Catherine) Chapin of Portland, Oregon, and Elizabeth (Jesse) Freund of San Francisco, California; and her great...[more]

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andchildren, Haley and Matthew Cooper, Nico Chapin and Madeline Freund. A private family gathering in remembrance and celebration of Kathryn's life will be held at a later date. The family would like to extend their appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Heights Assisted Living, Evansville, Wisconsin for their excellent and compassionate care of Kathryn. Memorial gifts in Kathryn's name may be made to the Kimple Lab for Juvenile Diabetes Reseach, U.W. Foundation, 1848 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53726, or to Allen Centennial Gardens, 620 Babcock Dr. , Madison, WI 53706.