Billie Jean Hansen

Billie Jean Hansen (nee: Rixey), 83, died June 17, 2011, in Chesterfield, Missouri, after a short illness. Mrs. Hansen was born on May 18, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the only child of Ruth Rixey (nee: Hargrave) of Unionville, Missouri, and William Sims Rixey of Mexico, Missouri. Mrs. Hansen graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Science degree in education 1950, the year she was selected as Missouri’s Cherry Blossom Festival Princess, representing her state in Washington D.C. Following graduation, she taught school in Missouri, then worked for Congressman Morgan Moulder in Jefferson City, Missouri, and Washington D.C. She married Kenosha resident Robert Carl Hansen in 1952 and raised her four children full-time. She also worked in the family business in Kenosha, the Hansen Insurance Agency, for several years. While Mrs. Hansen lived in Kenosha from 1954-1994, she was a member of St. Mary’s Lutheran Church, the Danish Sisterhood, the Junior Women’s Club, the V.F.W. auxiliary and auxiliaries of other local Veteran’s groups. Mrs. Hansen is survived by her son, Commander Robert Carl Hansen, Jr., USN (retired) of Ahoskie, North Carolina; her daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Tom Gonwa of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri; five grandchildren, Erica Hansen of New York City, Amy Gonwa and Tommy Gonwa of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, Kelsey Hansen of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Emilie Filion Donato of Montreal, Quebec; and her beloved great-grandchild, Parker. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert and her two youngest sons, Richard and William. Her memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Hansen-Lendman Funeral Home, followed by inurnment at Green Ridge Cemetery. A gathering will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service. Those wishing to send a donation in lieu of flowers are asked to consider the American Cancer Society, Pathways Hospice in Chesterfield, Missouri, Annie’s Hope-The Bereavement Center for Kids in St. Louis, Missouri, or the Hospice Alliance, Kenosha.