Ethel Marie (Grannis) Hansen, 100, formerly of Mullen, passed away March 18, 2012, at Madonna Care Center in Lincoln.

Ethel Marie (Grannis) Hansen was born on Nov. 2, 1919, near Moorefield in Lincoln County, to Fred and Margaret Alice "Carter" Grannis. Ethel and her siblings Wesley, Perry, Dorothy and Ruby, grew up on the farm and attended a country school through eighth grade.

On Jan. 30, 1941, Ethel married Raymond Hansen in McCook. They farmed south of Maywood until Raymond was called into service for his country. Ethel followed Raymond to U.S. Army bases in Texas, Mississippi and Virginia. Ethel worked in a cleaners and a "dime" store and discovered she enjoyed clerking. When Raymond was sent to the Philippines, Ethel returned to Curtis and clerked at the Gambles store.

After World War II Raymond and Ethel moved to Farnam, where they farmed and raised two children, Larry Ray and Susan Kay. They later moved into town and Raymond worked for Aden Brother's Farms and Ethel returned to clerking at Montgomery's Store. While living in Farnam, Ethel and Raymond joined the United Methodist Church and Ethel was active in American Legion Auxiliary as well as other community activities.

Raymond passed away Jan. 10, 1976, and Ethel soon moved to Mullen to be close to her daughter, Susan and family. At Mullen, Ethel continued her involvement in the church and Auxiliary. Ethel worked at Macke's Grocery Store, continuing on part-time way after she reached retirement years. She enjoyed her grandchildren, taking care of her lawn and garden and going on tours to many states with friends.

In 2006 due to health issues, she became a resident of the St. Jane de Chantal, Long Term Care of Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, where she was close to her son, Larry, and wife Betty. There she was involved in the Pink Hat Ladies and many other activities.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; son, Larry Ray; parents; siblings; and a nephew and a niece.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Don (Sue) Pearman, of Mullen; daughter-in-law, Betty Hansen, of Lincoln; grandchildren, Tawnya Hansen, of St. Charles, Mich., Darla "Kerry" Harms, of Carterville, Ill., Rae Ann "Nick" Fraley, of Davey, Melissa "Simon" Fenton, of Lincoln, and Chad Pearman, of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Joshua and Caleb Harms and Anthony Fraley; nephews, Gary Blagdon, of Stapleton, Larry Joe Blagdon, of Green Bay, Wis., and Gary Larson, of Kearney; and special friends, Winnie Cooley, of Mullen, and Orvene Wilson, of Lincoln.

Services will be at 10 a.m. (MT), today, at the United Methodist Church in Mullen. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell at 3 p.m. (CT), today.

Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church or Madonna Care Activities Program.

Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

North Platte Telegraph, 21 March 2012