Ladonna A. Hansen

LaDonna Alfrieda, the daughter of Julius and Doris Jepsen, was born February 4, 1946, at her parents’ home near Correctionville. She was ill and, shortly after birth, she was baptized at the doctor’s office in Anthon.
She was educated in the Correctionville schools and graduated with the Class of 1964. She then attended business school in Des Moines, after which she lived in Des Moines and then Sioux City, working for John Hancock.
On April 10, 1970, she was married to Paul A. Hansen at the St. Paul Lutheran Church (Midway), rural Battle Creek, the same church at which she had received the Rite of Confirmation as a young girl. They spent their entire married life on the Meyer Family Farm in Soldier Township, Crawford County. While Paul and LaDonna had no children of their own, they adopted one son, Nicholas Paul, in 1972, and welcomed 14 foster children into their home over the years.
LaDonna sold Tupperware successfully for many years and was most well-known in the area as the manager of the CO General Store in Charter Oak for over 14 years. For entertainment, LaDonna loved visiting the casino, attending euchre parties in area towns, bargain hunting, and watching sports on TV.
LaDonna was a hard worker and took great pride in serving as the “lunch lady.” No one went hungry when she was around, and her homemade cinnamon rolls were especially in demand. She loved her church and enjoyed volunteering there in many capacities such as making quilts, teaching Bible School and Sunday School, helping with Christmas programs and preparing communion. She greatly enjoyed helping with the Ladies Aid Christmas bazaar as well as Immanuel’s annual soup supper -- baking bread, making egg salad and helping with the preparations for hours upon hours.
LaDonna fought many health challenges during her life, but always had a smile for those she met and put the needs of others first. Congestive heart failure began to win the battle during early 2015, and she was a hospital and nursing home patient for over four months before being able to return home, thanks to the great care of Burgess Hospital Home Health and Hospice.
LaDonna passed away at her home early Tuesday morning, June 30, 2015, surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Julius Jr., and her in-laws, Clara and Fred.
Remaining to cherish her memory are her husband Paul, with whom she celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in April; her son Nicholas and his wife Doreen; a sister, Sharon and her husband Eldon; a sister-in-law Lorraine; a brother, Gary; a brother-in-law Fred; and sister-in-law Donna; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.