Vera Maxine Hansberry

Vera M. Hansberry, daughter of Marysville pioneers Arthur C. and Olive Coulson Buttke, died January 23, 2015 with her children, grand and great grandchildren at her side. She was born April 6, 1921 in Marysville, WA, where she attended school and was graduated with the class of 1939. In April of 1940 she was united in marriage with Albert Hansberry in Ketchikan, Alaska, in which city they resided for many years and where their two children were born. While in the then-Territory of Alaska, Vera was employed as executive secretary by the Alaska Territorial Employ-ment Service and the Miners and Merchants Bank. She and her family moved to Marysville in 1953. Vera was associated with Olympic Bank (formerly Everett Trust & Savings Bank) in Everett from 1953 to 1983-in 1970 having been elected to the bank's senior management level as administrative assistant. In April 1983 she retired as a vice president and assistant to the president and as a corporate secretary of Olympic Bank. During her tenure there she co-authored a definitive 75-year history of Everett Trust & Savings Bank from its establishment in 1902 through 1977, and which also included much data about the founding of other Snohomish County banks during that period. Vera was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, the Marysville Historical Society and was long associated with the National Association of Secretaries and the National Association of Bank Women. She was listed in Who's Who of American Women 1974/1975. Vera was preceded in death by her beloved, Al in 1987; parents, Arthur and Olive; brothers, Lawrence, Willard and Arthur and sisters, Barbara, Dolores and Louise. She leaves the following precious family: daughter, Maureen Mitchell-Bushey (Bob); son, David Hansberry (Lynda); grandchildren, Kristin (Kirk) Borseth, Gretchen Mitchell, Amy Mitchell, Dave C. Hansberry and Allison Hansberry, beloved great grandchildren, Addison, Cole, Mitchell and Reeve Borseth, Zia and Zach Oakland and Tristen Hansberry. Also surviving is brother, Bob (Beverly) Buttke. Others sharing joy in Vera's life were numerous nieces, nephews; special friends from Olympic Bank and from Alaska days. An avid reader and seamstress of hand-quilting, her greatest joy was revisiting Ketchikan, Alaska and sharing in the lives of her grand and great grandchildren. Compassionate care of children was a life-long love and commitment, for which she will always be remembered. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 7, 2015, 2:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church-7215 51st Ave NE, Marysville. Memorials may be made to Children's Orthopedic Hospital of Seattle, the Marysville Historical Society, or charity of choice.