Golden Mary (Phillips) Hansen

Golden Hansen, 92, an early Columbia Basin pioneer, passed away suddenly Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at Samaritan Hospital. Born in Ritzville on June 27, 1915, she moved to Moses Lake (Neppel) in 1927 and married Russel Hansen four years later at the Grant County Fair. A chance to win a month's supply of bread, a toaster, and a blanket was all the incentive they needed to take their vows at the fairgrounds' dance hall.

Golden and Russ immediately embarked upon the task of making a living by growing potatoes, raising cattle, packing and shipping produce, and developing real estate. Golden could be found feeding harvest crews, driving trucks, and partnering with Russ in every new adventure - which included a stint behind the grill when they purchased and ran the King Pin Bowling Lanes. She and Russ were devoted to their community, in 1954 they donated 280 acres of land which would become the Moses Lake Golf and Country Club.

Golden grew to be an avid golfer, sinking her last putt two years ago at the age of 90. She also enjoyed gardening, bridge, and her daily crossword - mentoring children, in-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in the love of a challenging, neatly solved puzzle.

Her door was always open and she welcomed all with a steaming pot of coffee and her legendary cinnamon rolls. Everything from Golden's kitchen was prepared with the greatest skill and presented with love. She was an expert seamstress and knitter and each grandchild and great-grandchild holds dear the intricate Christmas stocking handcrafted by their Grandma.

Golden is survived by the children she was devoted to: Gail (Ray) Swanson, Keith (Vonnie) Hansen, and Tim (Marilynn) Hansen; sisters Loretta Buob and Georgia Foster; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russ; parents George and Ula Phillips; siblings Roy Phillips, Alma Rosebush, Howard Phillips, Clara Bower, Mildred Hughes, and Mabel Neihart, and great-grandson Alex (Swanson) Eddy.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 13 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor David Daugs officiating. A reception will follow at the Moses Lake Golf and Country Club. Visitation will be at Kayser's Chapel of Memories on Wednesday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Thursday, March 13, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Program of Moses Lake and the Salvation Army.