Dorothy K Hansell

Dorothy Hickey Hansell was born near Pretty Prairie, Kansas on December 3, 1911 to parents, John and Mary Hickey and married George E. Hansell in 1935. George and Dorothy had four children: Curtis, Kathryn, Lois and Leta.

Dorothy graduated from Plains, Kansas High School in 1929 and taught in a country school near Plains for one year before joining her parents and siblings who had moved to Vilas the previous year. Following their marriage George and Dorothy farmed near Walsh and later near Vilas until about 1960.

After moving to Springfield, Dorothy worked as a seamstress at NuWay Cleaners for almost 25 years and prior to the sale of the business was a co-owner with Jimmie Gabbert. She had regular clothing alterations customers during that time who relied on Dorothy to make their clothes fit just the way they liked. Dorothy not only repaired and altered but created clothing and did beautiful needlework.

After George’s death, Dorothy and Jimmie Gabbert formed a close friendship that was to last until Jimmie’s death in 2015. They enjoyed several trips both in and outside of the United States. Jimmie was truly a member of the family.

Survivors include her children: Curtis (Mildred) Hansell, Denver; Kathy (Stanley) Mease, Dodge City, KS; Leta Hansell, Denver. Five grandchildren: Julia (Brady) Bateman, Denver; David (Carla) Hansell, Windsor; Janet (Shawn) Poulson, Denver; Lamont (LeAnn) Mease, Omaha, NE and Chris (Amy) Mease, Wichita, KS, ten great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Survivors also include numerous nieces and nephews, especially Charlotte Martin of Springfield.

Those preceding Dorothy in death were her husband, George, her daughter, Lois Hansell, her parents and all of her siblings: Mable James, Claud Brown, Octie Ayers, Alice Hickey, Verna Reed, Lester Hickey, Marie Hutches and Fern Capansky.

Dorothy enjoyed an active and independent life well into her 90’s including mowing her large yard.

The family suggests donations in Dorothy’s memory be given to the Springfield EMS Association, Memo: D. Hansell, Mailed to 972 Kansas St., Springfield, CO 81073 or given by way of the funeral home.