Elizabeth "Lizzy" Ann Hansen

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Ann Hansen, 63, of Aberdeen, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at her residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2015, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father J. Joseph Holzhauser, Celebrant.

Burial will take place at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, at the mortuary and one hour prior to Mass at the church on Friday.

Elizabeth Ann Hansen was born on March 30, 1951, to Peter and Cecelia (Arntz) Hansen in Aberdeen, SD. She was a most lovely little girl, but, due to behavioral problems related to her Down Syndrome condition, her family found it difficult to take care of her without professional help. So, shortly before Elizabeth's fourth birthday, her parents placed her in the state facility in Redfield, SD that was specifically developed for taking care of mentally and physically handicapped individuals. In Redfield, Lizzy had the opportunity to learn to read and write and to do many other things she may not have otherwise been able to do. When she completed her formal education at the state facility she even had a graduation, just the way other children do. Visits from her family were happy times, and Lizzy would often nearly knock over her father as she ran to him to give him a loving embrace. Outings during these visits usually included a trip to the ice cream store, a restaurant, or a park where the family would have a picnic and play games.

When her family brought her home for longer visits Lizzy enjoyed playing with her seven siblings. The children played baseball, cowboys, and many of her favorite games with her. Lizzy's brothers and sisters always looked forward to having her home to be with them.

In the 1970s when the federal government began the process of deinstitutionalizing the mentally handicapped so they could live intermixed with society, Elizabeth, an adult by then, was placed in a foster home in Huron, SD. She was thrilled with the changes made, and she truly enjoyed her new way of life. Each weekday she would go to her job at the workshop in Huron, and she returned to be with her new foster family in the evening. More changes to the state program came about at some point, and Elizabeth, like others, was removed from her foster home and placed into a more independent living situation, first in a group home, and later into an apartment. The list of activities in which she was able to participate grew when she moved to Huron. At one point she had the opportunity to become a cheerleader for the boy's basketball team, and she happily took advantage of this new endeavor. She especially enjoyed being able to go to out of town games because she always enjoyed taking a road trip. In the early 1990s, Elizabeth moved to Aberdeen where a few of her family members, including her mother, were living. She worked at a day job in Aberdeen just as she had in Huron, and returned to her apartment each evening.

Lizzy loved to crochet. If she was watching television or listening to music, she was usually crocheting as well. She made dozens and dozens of little rugs, which she usually gave away as gifts to friends and family. Elizabeth was a wonderful girl and a determined woman. Her sister Fran Shaff, who was an author, summed up Lizzy's personality when she dedicated one of her books to her. The dedication reads, "For my sister Elizabeth who never let Down Syndrome slow her down."

Surely, the angels are singing gleefully now that God has brought his sweet Elizabeth Hansen home to Him.

Preceding Lizzy in death were her parents; her beloved sisters Arlene Quist and Fran Shaff; and her grandparents.

Elizabeth is survived by her brother-in-law and guardian Jim Shaff of Watertown, SD; and her five siblings and their spouses: LeRoy and Terry Dinan Hansen of Arlington, VA, Denise and Charlie Salwei of Loveland, CO, Bernadette and Steve Potter of Murray, IA, Colletta and Joe Kosiba of Brownsburg, IN and Richard and Marcia Hansen of Aberdeen, SD.

Lizzy's family wishes to express their gratitude to Aspire for the kindest care given to Elizabeth through the years and also extend a big "thank you" to the hospice staff.

Pallbearers will be members of the Knights of Columbus.

Memorials are preferred to either St. Mary's Catholic Church or Story Book Land in Aberdeen.