Caren Fay Hanson

Caren Fay Hanson 1951-2009 Caren Fay Hanson entered into rest on July 24, 2009 at St. Lukes Regional Hospital. Careen was born to Lester and Mabel Hanson on March 5, 1951, in Whitefish, Mont. She spent her childhood camping with her parents, sister, and her parent's best friends the Higdems. She graduated from Flathead High School where she played the clarinet in the marching band (She was also a "Baton Twirling Mom"). She spent the first half of her adult life in Kalispell, Mont., raising her oldest daughter and working as a union grocery checker, where she met two of her life long friends. She spent nine years in Eau Claire, Wisconsin enjoying raising her youngest daughter and starting a morning coffee tradition with her best friend that would last until the day that she died. She moved to Meridian, Idaho in 1998 to be closer to her parents, her sister and her new nephew, as well as her daughter and first grandson and later her first granddaughter. Caren loved being a mother and a grandma. She spent the last 11 years having her grandkids over for sleepovers and attending each of their football and soccer games, as well school programs and field trips. During her time in Meridian, Idaho, Caren worked for St. Luke's health information services giving doctors a hard time for not signing their charts in a timely manner as well as laughing with her co-workers. Caren was known for her laugh and sense of humor which is why she had so many friends who loved and cared so much about her. Caren had an incredible work ethic that made it so her girls were always well cared for. Words cannot describe how much she'll be missed. However, Caren will live on in her grandkids, daughters, family, and friends. She is survived by her two daughters; Sharie Wheat and Misty Dietz, her grandchildren; Dennin and Brooklynn Wheat, Fenix Dietz (step-grandchild), her sister Colleen DeGrange, nephew Nicholas DeGrange, her Uncle "Buzz" Dufloth, and her many close cousins and friends. She will be joining in heaven, her parents Lester and Mabel Hanson, her grandparents and many aunts and ncles. Services will be held at Summers Funeral Home, Ustick Chapel in Meridian, on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 10 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Meridian Cemetery and then a reception will be held at Summers Funeral Home. Caren's family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Oncology Ward at St. Lukes Regional Medical Center for their endless compassion and excellent care.