Marlene Mae Hansen

Marlene Mae Hansen, age 86, of Smithland, Iowa, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2020, at her home in Smithland, Iowa. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 29, 2020, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, with Pastor Catie Newman officiating. No Visitation will be held. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and state mandated guidelines will be followed during the service and burial. Committal Services will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery of Sioux City, Iowa. The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com. A time of food and fellowship, potluck style will be held following the committal services at approximately 1:30 p.m. Crossroads Pub formerly Runts of Smithland, Iowa. Marlene Mae Hansen, the daughter of Durwood “Woody” and Edith B. (Still) Evans, was delivered by her grandmother at home in Sioux City, Iowa. She grew up in Sioux City and was married at the tender age of 16. A second-generation porcelain doll maker, Marlene learned the art form from her mother Edith and passed the knowledge down to her daughter Donna. Marlene loved to craft, she also liked cooking, gardening, canning, and collecting carnival glass. Her family was especially important to her and she was the glue that held them together. She is remembered by her family for her feisty quick wit, honesty, and loving disposition. Marlene cherished raising her seven children. She also treasured many moments spent with her 22 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Throughout her life, Marlene also enjoyed sharing her time with her extended family and friends from the Fort Dodge area. A love for adventure, Marlene relished in rummaging, garage sailing, and thrifting to find treasures. She looked forward to the girls’ weekend away every year, where they would pick a place to explore and leave memories behind in each place. She is survived by her six children, Donna (Dennis) Kaiser of Minooka, IL, Denny (Shelia) Smith of Dakota City, NE, Carla (Kenny) Henry of Rodney, IA, Mike Hansen of Sioux City, IA, Dondi Hansen of Smithland, IA, and Wendy (Jason) Corn of Moorhead, IA; 22 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; brother Keith Evans of South Sioux City, NE; extended family and friends. Marlene is preceded in death by her parents Durwood “Woody” and Edith B. Evans; daughter Tina Barto; brother Durwood Evans Jr; and sister Barbara Schwedler.