Jeanne F. Hansen

Jeanne F. Hansen, 89 of Kankakee died Nov ember 27, 2015 at Miller Health Care in Kankakee, IL. She was born February 8, 1926 in Evanston Illinois to James and Edna Nixon Farrell. Jeanne graduated from Our Lady Academy in Manteno. On her birthday in 1947, Jeanne married Bernard C. Hansen at St. Joseph’s Church in Manteno. Together they raised a family of four children and owned and operated farms in Kankakee and Iroquois counties. Jeanne also worked for many years at JC Penney in Kankakee. She is preceded in death by her husband Bernard, who died December 27, 2004, and brother James “Jimmy’ Farrell of Manteno. Jeanne is survived by four children: Richard (Judy) Hansen of Kankakee, Margaret (James) Frogge of Kankakee, Donna (Dwight) Sivertsen of Moline, and Ronald (Pat) Hansen of Kankakee. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: (Chad Hansen, Kari Hansen Monk, Jessica Frogge, Sarah Frogge, Nathan Frogge, Matthew Sivertsen, Andrew Sivertsen, Ryan Sivertsen, and Gunnar Hansen) and 8 great-grandchildren. Jeanne was an active member and leader in the community who volunteered her time and talents for numerous groups and organizations. She served as a Director of the Board of the Kankakee County Fair and Exposition for 15 years and was the founder and director of the Battle of the Bands annual competition at the fair. Jeanne was both a 4-H Club leader and served on the Kankakee County 4-H Council Board of Directors for almost 20 years. Her life in the farming community also involved serving on the Kankakee County Farm Bureau’s Governing Board, Women’s Community Board, Legislative Committee, Ag-In-The-Classroom program, and Washington Farm Leaders Council. She received the Farm Bureau 1998 Meritorious Service Award for her long standing commitment to improving the lives of rural residents and advancing ag careers and programs. Jeanne was appointed to and served on the Kankakee County Farm Land Assessment Review Board. Jeanne was a strong supporter of St. Martin of Tours Church and School. Jeanne and her late husband, Bernard, were charter founding members of the Church and School. Jeanne was the first choir director and served as a Director of the Church Council for many years. She was recognized as the Woman of the Year in 1995 by the Catholic Council of Women (CCW). She was a Director of the former St. Martins Credit Union. Jeanne also volunteered at St. Martin’s School for numerous activities and served as PTA President. She was a member of the South Limestone Social Circle, a group founded over 90 years ago in that area. Jeanne was deeply committed to her family and community, and enjoyed entertaining, music, ballroom dancing, travel, theater, and gardening. Visitation will be Monday from 3 – 7 PM on Monday at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, Kankakee, IL. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 AM at St. Martin of Tours Church, Kankakee, IL. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Kankakee, IL. Memorials may be made to St. Martin of Tours Church or Riverside Medical Center.

Jeanne F. Hansen

February 8, 1926 - November 27, 2015