HANSEN, Bobbie Lou

Idaho State Journal (Pocatello ID) Saturday, April 23, 2011 Blackfoot--Bobbie Lou Hansen, 82, of Blackfoot, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Wednesday April 20, 2011, at the Bingham Memorial Hospital. Bobbie Lou was born August 16, 1928, in Central, Idaho, to Wilford and Matilda Andersen. She was the sixth of seven children. She came from a close-knit family who shared the joys and struggles of farm life. She graduated from Grace High School in 1946. On September 9, 1946, she married Welland "Rusty" Hansen in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They spent four years in Moscow, Idaho, where Bobbie worked at a local bookstore, helping to put Rusty through college at the University of Idaho, returning to Bancroft to farm in the summers. After college they returned to the Bancroft area, where they farmed for another 13 years. In the spring of 1962 they made their home west of Rockford as they expanded their farming operation. During that time they enjoyed raising their five children and crops together. In their spare time they traveled and enjoyed their cabin at Island Park. In 1998 they retired from farming and moved to Surprise, Arizona. They loved Arizona, having spent the previous 20 years during the winter at their home in Wickenburg, Arizona. Bobbie loved the desert plants and they thrived in her home at Rockford, as well as their Arizona homes. In the fall of 2005 Bobbie and Rusty moved back to Blackfoot to be closer to family. Bobbie was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities including Young Women's president, Relief Society counselor and Primary teacher. She was a great cook and homemaker. She enjoyed music, tole painting, talking to people and writing memorable letters. One of her greatest joys was her grandchildren, who she loved dearly and was very involved in their lives, supporting them any way she could. Bobbie Lou is survived by her husband, Welland; children, Nancy (Jack) Stark, of White Hall, Maryland, Zane (Janae) Hansen, of Moreland, Heidi Englehardt, of Atlanta, Georgia, Natalie (Earl) Seely, of Bountiful, Utah, and Michelle (Dwight) Hunsaker, of Parker, Colorado. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Hoyt Andersen, of Glendora, California, and Terry Andersen, of Riverton, Utah. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Travis Mitchell, Faye Selcho and two infant sisters, Mary Rose and Betty Jeanne. A funeral service will be held at 11am Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the Blackfoot LDS Stake Center, with Bishop Bruce Ritche conducting. The family will meet with friends on Friday evening from 6 to 8pm at Hawker Funeral Home, 1332 S Shilling Ave., Blackfoot, Idaho and again on Saturday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Riverside-Thomas Cemetery.