Lillian Aurelia Hansen
Feb. 11, 1914 — Feb. 28, 2008
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Lillian Aurelia Hansen, age 94, died at Sherman House Hospice Center in Phoenix, Ariz. on Feb. 28, 2008 after a short illness.
Lillian Friend was born on Feb. 11, 1914 in Zion, Ill. to Harley Alfred Friend and Alva B. Witter. She was a sixth-generation American on her father‘s side, with her fifth great-grandfather, Laurence Friend II being born in Upland, Pa. in c.1733. On her mother’s side, her eighth great-grandfather, William Witter, came to this country in 1640 from East Riding Hull, England. Lillian’s mother was the cousin of famed investment firm founder Dean Witter and President James A. Garfield was also related through her great-grandmother, Amy Ballou Witter. Commodore John Barry, Father of the American Navy, was also an ancestor. The fascinating history of her family was the subject of the book “Indian Blood,” by Evelyn Olsen.
As a very young girl in 1918, Lillian could recall the sound of a celebratory bell being rung in Zion – the bell was announcing the end of the First World War. Lillian spent her early childhood in Zion and as a young woman, went to work for her father as a secretary at his paper and printing company, The H. A. Friend Paper Co. She attended the private Zion Parochial School established in 1916 where the greeting was, “Peace to thee,” and the reply being, “Peace to thee be multiplied.” While living in Zion, she met her future husband, Alaric Ethan Hansen. The two were married at the Friend family home on West 26th Street in Zion on Aug. 26, 1939. Al was an aspiring cartoonist, having auditioned as such for the Walt Disney Company in the early 1940s. He later was employed during World War II as military aircraft nose artist.
Soon after their marriage, the couple had three children: Dexter (who died in infancy), Carole and Sandra. The small family traveled extensively throughout the East and eventually made their home in Ouray in 1958. In 1960, they purchased the St. Elmo Hotel from a retired Denver policeman, Con O’ Farrell, who had painted everything in the hotel Kelly Green, even some of the original furniture. Al, having experience in construction from working with his father, Hans Hansen in Racine, Wis., kept the hotel in top shape and his work can still be seen in all of the interior trim throughout the hotel. The Hansen’s owned and operated the St. Elmo for the next 20 years, retiring to Montrose in 1978.
Known to all of her family, simply as “Nanny,” Lillian was known to all of her friends as caring, thoughtful and extremely industrious. She loved making crafts and was an avid attendee at every Montrose craft show. Her ability and expertise in being a master seamstress, pillow, and quilt-maker was unsurpassed. She could play the piano beautifully by ear and was known to squeeze in a little honky-tonk as well. In her kind demeanor, she spoke to everyone she met and had the intent interest of her listeners. Her wonderful, friendly personality remained with her to the end. She will be greatly missed.
Preceding her in death was her husband Alaric who died on Jan. 2, 1989; and three brothers, Robert Roy, Wilbur Harley, and Howard Friend.
In her immediate family, she leaves to mourn her loss, two daughters: Carole Franz of Phoenix and Mackensey Sandra Hansen of Montrose; two brothers: William Friend of Winthrop Harbor, Ill. and Richard Friend of Zion, Ill.; three grandchildren: Stephanie Campbell of Phoenix, Kelsey Gonzales of Montrose and Michael Canavan of Ouray; two great-grandchildren: Damon Vallejos and Devon Canavan, both of Montrose; and many nieces and nephews.
Internment will be next to her husband at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Ouray.
A family held graveside memorial service will be on April 6, at 11a.m. Friends of Lillian and friends of the family are welcome to attend.