JoEllen Elaine Ebner

1950 - 2024

JoEllen Elaine (Hansen) Ebner

April 11, 1950 - August 23, 2024

JoEllen Elaine (Hansen) Ebner, 74, of Green Valley, Ariz., passed away on August 23, 2024, following a brief illness.

Jo was born in Eugene, Ore., on April 11, 1950, to parents George (Bud) and Jeanne Hansen, who preceded her in death.

She attended elementary and high school in North Bed/Coos Bay, Ore., graduating from Marshfield High School in 1968. She was very active in high school, participating in Girl's League, Speech League, National Forensics League, Pep Club, Drill Team, and Rally. In her freshman year, she was named "Miss Friendship."

Jo furthered her education at Merritt-Davis Business School in Salem, Ore., and Southwestern Community College.

Subsequently, she was hired by Georgia Pacific Corporation in Coos Bay and became the first female with office duties in the plant itself. She was welcomed to this formerly all-male environment, and the usual "pin-up" pictures around the plant were replaced with respectful images of herself.

She married Douglas (Bruce) Ebner in 1970, and they began their life together in Coos Bay. In October of that year, she gave birth to a son, Douglas James Ebner.

In 1974, she moved to Sweet Home, Ore., with her family. While living there, she became involved with county health programs, served on the Sweet Home Planning Commission, and worked in the offices of White's Electronics.

Her life took an international turn in 1980 as the family relocated to Saudi Arabia. Bruce worked as a teacher for Aramco Schools, while Jo was a casual hire in human resources and training. She loved traveling, especially to the Far East. Her favorite destinations were Hong Kong and Singapore.

The family returned to the States in 1985 and settled in Corvallis, Ore., where she primarily worked in human resources. Her most rewarding job was as Human Resource Director at the Corvallis Clinic. She held that position for 13 years overseeing hundreds of employees and physicians.

Jo retired with her husband to Green Valley, Ariz., in 2005. As a retiree she enjoyed entertaining, reading, gambling at the local casino, and many hours of Netflix and Prime TV. She spent time completing needlepoint projects and was an avid Oregon Ducks football fan. The many friends she made over her lifetime are a testament to her warm personality and zest for life.

She is survived by her husband and son; daughter-in-law, Angelia; precious granddaughter, Bella ("If it doesn't sparkle, we don't want it, Grandma"); sisters, Donna Hansen (Stu) and Peggy (Hansen) Kelber (Mike); sister and brother-in-law, Barb and Ron Kroeker; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jo did not want a formal funeral or service so a celebration of life will be held at a later date.