ELLEN "TOOTS" HANSON

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ELLEN "TOOTS" HANSON Peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2003 at the St. Boniface General Hospital, with her loving husband Albert at her side, Toots Hanson, aged 83, passed away following a long courageous battle with cancer. Toots was predeceased by her brother Jim and sister Margaret. She leaves to mourn her passing her beloved husband and best friend of 53 years Albert, her brother Tommy Stewart (Hamilton, ON) and many family friends. Toots was born in Winnipeg on July 26, 1920. She spent her early childhood growing up in the Elmwood area. In her early teens she met her future husband - Albert Hanson at the local skating rinks where their relationship began. In the early 1930s Toots moved with her family to Hamilton. There, as a young adult, she worked in the textile industry as a seamstress and later on for the Otis Elevator Company, supporting the war effort. It was not long after she moved to Hamilton that Albert decided to also move there in search of work, but also knowing that he would meet up with his childhood sweetheart once again. Their courtship continued in Hamilton until Albert joined the services in 1941. In 1945, at the conclusion of the war Albert again returned to Hamilton, this time to marry Toots. Soon after their marriage, they returned to Winnipeg to settle down. Toots being an avid sports enthusiast, together with Albert, got involved in a bowling league, followed by a curling league, then onto her very favourite sport and pastime - golf. They became long standing members of the Pine Ridge Golf Club. There, Toots was able to achieve a very rare accomplishment, scoring two holes in one. During all these activities Toots and Albert established many lasting friendships. Toots also had a very keen interest in flowers and gardening. Her natural green thumb talents were very evident at their lovely East Kildonan home in the summertime. She also assisted Albert with the many beautiful gardens he maintained at the golf club. In later years Toots and Alberts interests also turned to travelling. This interest escalated significantly following Alberts retirement in 1980. Over the next several years, they made many trips worldwide to Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific Islands, throughout the Orient and several trips to various countries in Europe. Toots was a loving wife and a caring and compassionate person. She was always willing to help people in any way she could. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew her, especially her soul mate and life partner Albert. A public viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 12 between 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Klassen Funeral Chapel, 1897 Henderson Hwy. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Klassen Funeral Chapel. Following the service and a reception, for those interested in joining the family, interment will take place at Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Ave. Albert would like to extend his sincere thanks to all the caring staff on the 3B ward at St. Boniface General Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Toots memory to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 102-310 Broadway, R3C 0S6 or the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook St., R3C 9Z9. KLASSEN Funeral Chapel 1897 Henderson-North of McIvor-338-0331

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 12, 2003