Arletta Joy Gorman Hand HANSEN

HANSEN, Arletta Joy Gorman Hand Arletta was born in Bismark, ND. December 21, 1925. When still quite young, her family moved to Montana.  She married her husband, C.J. Hansen, in Helena, MT in 1951. They raised four children while residing in Helena, Missoula and Butte, MT, until 1964, when they relocated to Tucson, AZ. Arletta took to Arizona slowly at first, arriving in a record breaking heat wave that July, charged with keeping four freckled and alabaster skinned kids from blistering sunburns, while ridding that first desert house of its population of scorpions, black widows, and even an invasion of bats. But persevere she did, and Tucson became her home in the truest sense. She was a founding member of Corpus Christi Church in her later years, and drew great comfort from her associations there. Arletta lost both sons (Michael and Matthew) in 1983. Her husband, C.J., passed away in 1991. She remained in their Tucson home until moving to CO in 2009 and then to OH in 2011, where she resided until her passing on February 5, 2018 in Springfield. Arletta was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. She had a real love for any and all animals, (except maybe bats) and many lucky dogs enjoyed very good lives as her companions. She was an excellent cook, and figured out how to solve many a household or automotive problem without the aid of Google. She had great compassion for the plights of others and made a point of lending aid whenever possible. She is deeply loved and remembered for her unwavering faith, innate kindness, generosity, and remarkable courage in the face of some of life's most difficult challenges. She is survived by two daughters, Michele Heimlich (Nick) and Maggie Engel (Tom) and their families, including four grandchildren, Maegan Heimlich Benne (David), Caleb Heimlich, Michael Engel, Emily Engel and three great-grandsons, Samuel, Grayson and Charlie Matt Benne. Her brother James Hand of Helena preceded her in death. She carried on in life simply, with eyes open to beauty wherever she was, and a heart full of gratitude for life and love. Service to be held at Corpus Christi Church on Friday, February 16, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., with Fr. Richard Kingsley presiding. Burial to follow at Eastlawn Cemetery at 5801 E. Grant Rd. Arrangements by EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY.