Obituaries
2
trees
planted in memory of Janet G. Hansis
Obituary for Janet G. Hansis
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Janet Gail Hansis, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Jan died peacefully in her home at Cedarhurst Assisted Living in Washington, Illinois on Monday, May 2, 2022. She had family and friends by her side.
Jan was born on May 28, 1922, the youngest of three children of Carl and Zella (Moats) Wilson in Springfield, Ohio. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1940 and went to a small business school to learn shorthand and typing. During her senior year of high school, she was the lead female role in her high school play, a comedy called “Spring Fever”.
While working as a secretary at the Springfield, Ohio YMCA, she met Howard Richard Hansis (deceased), who swept her off her feet. They were married on December 6, 1941, waking up the next morning to the attack on Pearl Harbor. They resided in New York during the war, 1942-46, as Howard was a Classification Specialist for the US Coast Guard. During this time, Jan worked for Standard Oil on the 26th floor of the RCA Building. She enjoyed her time in New York and would fondly relate stories from that era.
After the war, they moved with their newest addition, a daughter, Karen Baker (Ron-deceased), to Rockford, Illinois. They resided in Rockford for 18 years and had three additional children: Keith Hansis (deceased), Susan Kaszynski (Tom), and Barry Hansis (Dana). Howard worked many years for the YMCA, and a favorite family vacation was enjoyed at Camp Nawakwa, a YMCA family camp in northern Wisconsin.
In 1964, the family made the move to Peoria, where Jan worked as an executive secretary for Caterpillar, Inc., retiring January 1,1985. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard.
At the young age of 90 she married again to her friend and companion Kendrick (Rob) Robinson, also 90, on December 1, 2012. They were quite the couple and shared many happy times together. Rob also preceded her in death. Rob had one loving daughter Judy (Herb) Weisberg.
Jan’s extended family includes nine grandchildren, Nathan Baker, Jennifer Baker, Katherine Baker, Kristen (Eric) Vicary, Bradley (Angela) Rose, Brad (Katelyn) Reinhart, Emily Matney, Becky O’Neill, Bryan M Bowen (Lee Ann Rabe), and five great-grandchildren, Trevor Vicary, Declan Rose, Sterling Reinhart, Clay Reinhart, and Brooks Reinhart.
Jan began her spiritual life and involvement in church at an early age and her faith has been unwavering on her journey through life. Her relationship with God has been the cornerstone of her faith. She has enjoyed the friendships and close relationships of her church family until her very last days on this earth.
As an accomplished knitter, she made everything from doll clothes and Christmas ornaments to sweaters, hats, and gloves. She made the best children’s hats that always fit perfectly. Jan loved traveling, reading, and playing cards. While working at Caterpillar she enjoyed playing golf in the Caterpillar women’s league with her friend, Clarice. Jan was always open to try new adventures. She climbed Lily Mountain outside of Estes Park at 64, went tent camping and slept on the ground in her late eighties and attempted to water ski for the first time at 87.
Jan was a remarkable woman who influenced many people throughout her life. She was a kind and gentle soul, with a great perspective on life. Her eyes always sparkled and looked for the positive side of life in good times and in bad, and that attitude was passed on to others. When young children were around, she would just light up. She will be remembered for the strong, loving, caring, supportive person she was and will live in our hearts forever.
Graveside services will be held in the “Garden of the Resurrection” at Swan Lake Memory Gardens located at 4601 West War Memorial Dr. Peoria, IL, 61615, on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 10:30 AM.
Memorials may be made in Jan’s name to Northwest United Methodist Church or St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Children’s Hospital.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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Jan was born on May 28, 1922, the youngest of three children of Carl and Zella (Moats) Wilson in Springfield, Ohio. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1940 and went to a small business school to learn shorthand and typing. During her senior year of high school, she was the lead female role in her high school play, a comedy called “Spring Fever”.
While working as a secretary at the Springfield, Ohio YMCA, she met Howard Richard Hansis (deceased), who swept her off her feet. They were married on December 6, 1941, waking up the next morning to the attack on Pearl Harbor. They resided in New York during the war, 1942-46, as Howard was a Classification Specialist for the US Coast Guard. During this time, Jan worked for Standard Oil on the 26th floor of the RCA Building. She enjoyed her time in New York and would fondly relate stories from that era.
After the war, they moved with their newest addition, a daughter, Karen Baker (Ron-deceased), to Rockford, Illinois. They resided in Rockford for 18 years and had three additional children: Keith Hansis (deceased), Susan Kaszynski (Tom), and Barry Hansis (Dana). Howard worked many years for the YMCA, and a favorite family vacation was enjoyed at Camp Nawakwa, a YMCA family camp in northern Wisconsin.
In 1964, the family made the move to Peoria, where Jan worked as an executive secretary for Caterpillar, Inc., retiring January 1,1985. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard.
At the young age of 90 she married again to her friend and companion Kendrick (Rob) Robinson, also 90, on December 1, 2012. They were quite the couple and shared many happy times together. Rob also preceded her in death. Rob had one loving daughter Judy (Herb) Weisberg.
Jan’s extended family includes nine grandchildren, Nathan Baker, Jennifer Baker, Katherine Baker, Kristen (Eric) Vicary, Bradley (Angela) Rose, Brad (Katelyn) Reinhart, Emily Matney, Becky O’Neill, Bryan M Bowen (Lee Ann Rabe), and five great-grandchildren, Trevor Vicary, Declan Rose, Sterling Reinhart, Clay Reinhart, and Brooks Reinhart.
Jan began her spiritual life and involvement in church at an early age and her faith has been unwavering on her journey through life. Her relationship with God has been the cornerstone of her faith. She has enjoyed the friendships and close relationships of her church family until her very last days on this earth.
As an accomplished knitter, she made everything from doll clothes and Christmas ornaments to sweaters, hats, and gloves. She made the best children’s hats that always fit perfectly. Jan loved traveling, reading, and playing cards. While working at Caterpillar she enjoyed playing golf in the Caterpillar women’s league with her friend, Clarice. Jan was always open to try new adventures. She climbed Lily Mountain outside of Estes Park at 64, went tent camping and slept on the ground in her late eighties and attempted to water ski for the first time at 87.
Jan was a remarkable woman who influenced many people throughout her life. She was a kind and gentle soul, with a great perspective on life. Her eyes always sparkled and looked for the positive side of life in good times and in bad, and that attitude was passed on to others. When young children were around, she would just light up. She will be remembered for the strong, loving, caring, supportive person she was and will live in our hearts forever.
Graveside services will be held in the “Garden of the Resurrection” at Swan Lake Memory Gardens located at 4601 West War Memorial Dr. Peoria, IL, 61615, on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 10:30 AM.
Memorials may be made in Jan’s name to Northwest United Methodist Church or St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Children’s Hospital.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Previous Events
Graveside
Tuesday
10
May
10:30 AM
Swan Lake Memory Gardens
4601 Route 150
Peoria, IL 61615
Cemetery Details
Location
Swan Lake Memory Gardens
4601 Route 150
Peoria, IL 61615
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