Joanne Lorraine Hansen's Obituary
Joanne (Jo) Lorraine Pittman Hansen of Salado, Texas left us peacefully December 20, 2025, to join her Lord. She was surrounded in the love of her family.
Jo was born in Aitkin, Minnesota on June 1, 1938, to Herman and Ruth Pittman. She was the youngest of the couple's four daughters. Jo was an energetic child. Always in motion, she loved to be outside. Be it with animals, friends, or sports - she was always on the go throughout her entire life. As a child, she boasted many pets, both dogs and cats, which she was inclined to bring in and hide in her bed… Much to her parents' dismay! Her love of animals continued her entire life, losing her much loved Maxwell just recently.
Jo was also passionate about sports. She played softball and soccer from childhood through adulthood. No matter the sport, she was the consummate fan and sideline coach! She exhibited this competitive nature in all aspects of her life. She loved to play board games with her friends and family. Often the game pieces would fly across the room with gusto with a particularly well played move, and sometimes just because! She is described as approaching life with “GO”, then eventually she might reach “Ready and Set.”
Jo also was passionate about music. She loved to sing. Involved in church choirs since childhood, she and her sisters were quite popular for performing together while she was growing up. She would tell stories of her more mischievous nature, where she got banned from class in middle school for having gum by the teacher but then on Sunday morning, she had to sit with this teacher the next day during choir performances at church.
Jo met her soulmate in Aitkin at school, Herbert (Tony) Hansen. They would tell stories of meeting for the first time. Apparently, she made quite an impression on him in the seventh grade, but it took Jo a few more years to catch on. They started dating their junior year in high school and never looked back. After Jo moved to California, Tony also moved there to attend college. After dating for seven years, they were married December 23, 1961, and spent 61 additional years of adventures together until he passed away in 2023.
After Tony graduated college, the couple moved to Texas. Here, Jo and Tony started their family and had two children, Patricia (Patti) and Christopher (Chris). They made many friends through work and church. Jo worked many jobs through the years but found her joy working at MCI with her work team, where she ultimately retired from. She was the primary party preparer for their annual thanksgiving work luncheon, loving the opportunity to prepare and feed the team for the celebration.
Jo and Tony loved get togethers with their friends. Their passion for fishing provided many opportunities for the couple to host neighborhood fish fries where Tony would run the fryer and Jo would prepare batter, potatoes and onion rings for frying. Super Bowl provided another reason for gathering, they would make Texas chili for the half time meal for the guests.
Jo and Tony loved going to Chris’s soccer games. Jo, as the consummate fan, found herself as the loudest part of the cheering section, and at times, sideline coaching or officiating…. During one of Chris’s youth games, the official threw her out of the game for “over sharing” with him on his performance… During Chris’s college games her abundant enthusiasm while well meaning, was special as she was yelling “Go SMU!” Chris’s team being Midwestern State University - MSU… Tony tended to pace to the other side of the bleachers during these moments.
Jo and Tony loved their family deeply. Over the years, their family grew and as they added son-in-law - David Penney and daughter-in-law - Suzanne Bachman. The couple's grandchildren include: Jonathan and his wife Amanda Penney, Jacob Penney and Angelica Rangel, Haley Hansen and her fiancé Brooke Naulty, Ashland Hansen, and Tagan (Hansen) and her husband Trey Fambrough. Additionally, they boasted two great grandchildren, Octavia and Annabel Penney. Jo loved all of her family as it grew and relished in every visit with them.
Jo was living in Salado with her daughter and son-in-law at the time of her passing. She was full of life and excited for each day up until her crossing. Jo is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren listed above as well as her sister Alice (Pittman) Stauffer. The family plans to celebrate her life in Salado, Texas on March 14, 2026.
What’s your fondest memory of Joanne?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joanne?
Share a story where Joanne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joanne you’ll never forget.
How did Joanne make you smile?
