OBITUARY OF DOROTHY A. MATHISEN HANSEN

Dorothy Arlene Mathisen Hansen, the daughter of Emil and Eda (Rathkamp) Dreher, was born June 11, 1923, on her parents' farm north of Audubon, Iowa and died May 29, 2006 at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 82 years, 11 months, and 18 days.

Dorothy was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Audubon. She attended rural school in Audubon County then helped on the family farm.

On September 20, 1940, she was united in marriage to Stanley A. Mathisen in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Dorothy was a homemaker for several years and took care of their children while Stanley served in the United States Air Force. Following Stanley's discharge, they farmed east of Audubon, Iowa, for a few years, and then farmed north of Gray, Iowa, for a number of years. They moved to the family farm in 1967 and later purchased the farm. Dorothy helped on the farm and cleaned houses for several families. Stanley died March 4, 1983. Dorothy lived on the farm for a short time then moved into Audubon in December of 1984. Dorothy continued her cleaning service.

On February 14, 1987, she married Alvan H. Hansen at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon. They made their home in Manning and enjoyed traveling. Alvan died July 13, 2002. Dorothy continued to live in Manning.

Dorothy was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon and was a member of the women's circle. She was a member of the American Legion Women Auxiliary in Manning.

Preceding her in death in addition to her husband's Stanley Mathisen and Alvan H. Hansen were her parents and her brother Ray-mon Dreher.

Survivors include her children: Pat and husband Dwayne Sunberg of Hamlin, Iowa; Don and wife Wanda Mathisen of Crescent, Iowa; Sandi and husband Ted White of Augusta, Montana; Sharlene Lanktree of Missoula, Montana; Steve and wife Raydene Mathisen of Audubon, IA; and Arlene Jorgensen and her fiancé James Sinclair both of Missoula; twelve grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; her step-children and their families: Roger and wife Mary Hansen of Georgetown, Texas; Joy Hansen of Denver, Colorado; James Hansen of Chicago, Illinois; Vernon and wife Barbara Hansen of Phoenix, Arizona; her sister and brother: Louis and wife Valeria Dreher of Audubon; Arlene and husband Howard Gregersen of Audubon; her sisters-in-law Mildred Dreher of Audubon and Lola Ahrendsen of Manning; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Interment will be in the Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon. Casket bearers will be grandsons: Shane Olerich, Terry Sunberg, Mike Lamb, Vern Thomas, Timothy Mathisen and Dr. James H. Mathisen.

Everyone is invited for lunch in the church basement social room following the committal service.