01/12/2026
Carole Lee Hanson was born May 12, 1943 in Pennsylvania to Kenneth & Cornelia “Connie” Hanson (Wright) and was a daddy's girl to the end. She grew up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey graduating from Fanwood High School. Her career began at a bakery then onto Macy's dress department and a new adventures which led her out west in Montana working as the secretary for the local Teamsters where she met the love of her life Gunder Hansen, later moving to the beautiful small town of Story, WY.
They married September 15, 1979 where she exchanged the O for an E in her last name. They both shared a love for their fur babies, two Basset hounds, Tulip and Gus, who joined the beloved Puddy, a large white cat with no tail who had his own baby (cat) book, and they all ate better than any human! Throughout their years together they had other cats that came along and their last beloved dog Wally, given to them by their "little neighbor girl" Cassie, as well as Miss Gloria, the last cat, who then came to live with her dear friends Barbara and Rick. Carole’s animals were the light of her life and brought her so much joy over the years. After Gunder’s passing in November of 2017, Carole was left to find new ways of living that didn't include that brute of a man she loved so much. She was blessed with a devoted friend, Barbara, who swooped in and made sure she was well cared for and on the other side of those eye rolls when Barbara gave it back to her. Barbara was there until the bitter end and was a huge comfort to Carole, she was forever grateful for that friendship.
Carole served as a Sunday school teacher, and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Women group and church. She was the Worthy Matron for Order of Eastern Star (OES) 2000–2001 and President for Social Order of Beauceant (SOOB) 1996–1997 and 1999–2000. When Carole was not cooking for Gunder and friends, she busied herself with needlepoint, crewel work, knitting, crocheting, hanging wallpaper, caring for plants and reading light mystery books.
Carole had a dry sense of humor that caught some people off guard but she was a delight to be around, even the famous eye rolls she often gave right to the end of her days here on earth.
Carole also follows her parents, step-mother, and brother, Roger Hanson in passing.
She is survived by step brother, Don Reitz and Linda Ford in Pennsylvania; step brother Marvin and Kathy Reitz in Maryland; half sister Lisa and Carl Craft in New Jersey; nephew Kenneth Hanson and his wife Amanda in Laramie, WY, and many step and half nieces and nephews. Friends of Carole's that grew to be family were her beloved Barbara and Rick Cipolla of Sheridan, WY, Tom and Jill Newman of Sheridan, WY, and Cassie, "little neighbor girl" and Matt Lane great grand kids, Madyson and Dylan all of Sheridan, WY.
A Service to Honor Carole Hansen's Life will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 1:00 P.M., at Champion Kane Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Barth officiating. Following the service a Chocolate Cake reception will be held in the Champion Kane Reception Hall. Inurnment will take place in the Masonic section of the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.
Donations can be made to the Second Chance Cat Shelter or the Dog and Cat Shelter in Sheridan, WY.
Online condolences may be written at https://www.kanefuneral.com/
Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.
