Gladys Hansen

Gladys Hansen, 96, Weston, WI, formerly Valders, WI, passed away on November 11, 2026, at Primrose Memory Care in Weston, WI. Gladys was born on November 25, 1929, in Kennan, WI. Born to Jack and Clara Billings, Gladys grew up with her older brother Harold, and younger sisters, Marion, Lorraine, Shirley and Joanne. After graduating high school, Gladys went to work for the Camp Douglas Post Office where she met her future husband, Jim Hansen. It was Jim’s older sister, Arlis, who told him about a pretty young woman who was working at the local post office. The rest is history and the couple married on September 12, 1953. After living in San Diego and Madison, they made their home in Valders. They had two children, Tim and Jeanne.

Gladys enjoyed her life as a homemaker, but she did take the time in her 40’s to earn her teaching certificate, and she was very proud of her accomplishment. She did some substitute teaching after that but also spent many years working for Lakeshore Farm Management as a bookkeeper.

Gladys and Jim were world travelers, visiting Israel, South Africa, and Australia, taking several trips to Europe and traveling throughout the United States and into Canada. Gladys also loved to go antiquing and collected several sets of depression era glassware and many cutglass items that she displayed throughout her home. She was an accomplished cook, baker and hostess. She loved to serve special meals, complete with silver, linens, and depression glass to friends and family and if she said dinner would be served at 6:00, she would apologize if it was served at 6:02. Gladys was a perfectionist in every way.

Gladys was very active in her church, working for 40 years as the head of the quilting group. No matter how many quilts were made in a single year for Lutheran World Relief, Gladys set the goal higher the next year, and in her years with the quilting group, thousands of quilts were made and delivered to those in need around the world.

Gladys is preceded in death by her husband Jim Hansen and her granddaughter Marta Hansen. She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Tim and Linda Hansen; Elliot, Megan (Kirsh) and Emmett Hansen; Greg and Jeanne Willems; Ted, Jen, Merritt, Griffin, Everett and Kitt Willems; and Maggie, Jeff, Molly and Paige Picker.

The family would like to thank the staff at Primrose Memory Care, especially Carrie, LaTanya, Jess, Rose, Holly and Megan for all the love and joy they bring to their residents, as well as the family members who visit.

Private services are being held for Gladys.

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared at www.ascendweston.org.