Charlene (Rich) Hansen

Charlene (Rich) Hansen, age 87, passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2021, at her son’s home in Concordia. She was born on August 16, 1933, on a farm northwest of Miltonvale, Kansas, to Charles and Charlotte  “Fern” (Beckley) Rich.
She was a 1950 graduate of Miltonvale High School. Charlene then graduated from Miltonvale Wesleyan College and later Kansas State University, receiving her master’s degree in theology. She was a homemaker and school teacher.
She married Merrill “Gene” Hansen on June 29, 1958, at the Wesleyan Church in Miltonvale. He preceded her on March 18, 2014. She was a longtime member of the Concordia Wesleyan Church and shared her musical talents for many years with the church and the community. Her husband Gene would whistle while accompanying her piano playing at church and community functions.  She was a board member of the Women’s Aglow Organization.
She enjoyed giving piano lesson, crafts, sewing, poetry, riding around with her son David on the farm taking in all the animals, she loved doing home improvement projects and painting with bright colors.  Charlene had a big heart and loved visiting with her neighbors and family, and was a caregiver to her parents during their elderly years.
Charlene is survived by her seven children, Charles of Concordia, Mary Holloway and husband Larry of Ozawkie, Kan., David, John, Daniel, Lowell, Michael, all of Concordia; seven grandchildren, Makita, Amanda, Brianna, Laura, Neil, Erin and Hailie; six great-grandchildren, Austin, Marissa, Kadence, Everett, Jackson, and Mallory; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, her parents, Charles and Fern, two brothers, and one sister.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 15, 2021, at the Wesleyan Church in Concordia with Pastor David Redmond officiating. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Concordia. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 14, from 2-8 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m., at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia.
Memorials are suggested to the Concordia Wesleyan Church or Concordia Senior Citizens Center in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.chaputbuoy.com. Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia is in charge of arrangements.