Jean Hansen

Jean A. Hansen

Age 80 of Channahon and originally Morris; passed away peacefully Saturday morning, June 18, 2016 at her home.

Born October 22, 1935 in Joliet, Jean Ann was a daughter of Aage Hans and Augusta Caroline (Thelin) Hansen. She was first generation born from parents who were naturalized US citizens emigrating from Denmark. Jean was educated at St. Mary’s Academy in South Bend, and graduated from Morris Community High School with the Class of 1952. She continued her education at Washington University in St. Louis and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Northwestern University in 1958.

After college, Jean worked with her brother Frank and was a licensed commercial pilot; multi-engine and instrument flight rules rated. For seven years she flew regular airline service out of Chicago domestically and to Canada daily. Frank and Jean also provided air mail service, as well as charter air service for well known and celebrity clients.

It was in the mid 1960’s that Jean transitioned from commercial flying and instruction to gaining employment with Dresden Nuclear Power Station, during the building of reactors one and two. Shortly thereafter in 1968 she took a position with the State of Illinois, Department of Employment Security, which she would then fulfill until her retirement. Jean was proud to be hired as an Intermittent Emergency Claims Technician, and over the years worked her way up through the Unemployment Insurance System to attain the position of Region Manager. Towards the end of her career Jean returned to her local office, where she managed the IDES Joliet office until her retirement in 2007.

Jean was a civic leader and volunteer who loved her community and dedicated over two decades to countless efforts. Her involvement included: The Center for Economic Development - Will County Chamber of Commerce (served as Board Member and Chairman for the Management of the Joliet City Center); Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and Industry (served as Board Member as well as the Education Council); Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry (served as Chair of the Ambassador Division, elected Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Educational Committee and Vice President of Major Programming. She brought to the Chamber CEO the concept of Council of Working Women, which she later co-Chaired. Jean completed ten years on the Board of Directors and earned the Outstanding Small Business Award for her IDES Joliet office in 1998); ATHENA Foundation (worked to establish the local Foundation, served on the Board of Directors, served as Secretary of Board, and was Vice President of the Midwest Region); Three Rivers Manufacturing Association (Chaired the Human Resources Division 1989-1996); Contractors Association for Will and Grundy Counties (was one of the Founders of the Women in Construction and served on the scholarship committee); United Way of Will County (member of Allocation Committee); Salvation Army of Joliet/Will County (served as President and was a Director on the Advisory Board, as well as involved with the strategic planning with the Chicago Advisory); Housing Foundation of Will County (served as Vice President and was part of charter group along with Deane Gudac, US Congressman George Sangmeister and Bishop Joseph Imesch to address the homeless and economically disadvantaged of the community); Kiwanis Club of Joliet (first woman to be selected as a member, served on Board of Directors; was Secretary/Treasurer for three years and acted as Lt. Governor for the 23rd and largest division in the State); United Cerebral Palsy of Will County (Member of Board of Directors, served as President and Chaired the Personnel Committee); Child Care Resource and Referral (Chaired the Advisory Board, and assisted to develop the Agency as a NFP. Also served as President of the Board 1992-1998); Family Counseling Agency (Chaired the Personnel Committee and held position of Treasurer and President of the Board); Education-to-Career’s (served as secretary of the Board); Community Services Council (served as President of the Board and Legislative Chair); Lewis University (member of the President Forum); Catholic Charities (elected to the Board of Directors, served on the Head Start Personnel and Marketing Committee, Chaired the Human Resource Committee and served as Secretary to the Corporate Board); Illinois Employer Council (formed the Employer Forum and received State Award for most active Council in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002); American Inter-Professional Association (Past President, Secretary and Treasurer); Joliet Junior College (served on the Marketing and Management Advisory Board and volunteered as an Adult Literacy Tutor); Tech-Prep Program at Joliet Township High Schools Central and West Campus’ (assisted to facilitate programing with Illinois Economic Division); Workforce Investment Board, formerly the Workforce Investment Council and the Will County Private Industry Council (member of the Board of Directors and served on the Finance Committee); member of the Exchange Club of Joliet;  affiliated with the JACOB Organization; Habitat for Humanity of Will County (member of the Board of Directors, Family Selection Committee, served as Secretary and involved with strategic planning); Cornerstone Agency (Corporate Board Member, and served on the Human Rights, Personnel and Program Review Committee); Channahon-Minooka Rotary Club (elected Director of Vocational Services); Will/Grundy Medical Board (served on Board of Directors); Joliet Area Community Hospice (served on the Board of Directors) and the Spanish Center of Joliet (served as Chairman of the Board)

Jean received an Honorary Degree from Joliet Junior College in 1996 for Community Service; was honored with the 1988 ATHENA Award for recognized leadership in the community; was the recipient of the 2000 Lewis University De La Salle Award for Outstanding Community, Humanitarian and Charitable Service; was granted the Girl Scouts of Trailways Council’s 2004 Woman of Strength Award; was bestowed the J.D. Ross Extraordinary Service Award from Joliet Junior College in 2005, and received the Village of Channahon’s 2007 Amos Hayes Citizen of the Year Award.

As quoted by Jean: “Your community is only as good as how much work you put into bettering it.”

Survivors include her daughter Kathleen S. Hansen of Channahon; one niece Violette Baskerville of Wilmington; great nephews and great nieces: Michael (Patricia) Baskerville of Wilmington, Theresa Hansen of Massachusetts, Aage Hansen, III of Arizona, Matthew Baskerville of Wilmington, Charles (Lori) Hansen of Texas, and Raine Hansen of Nevada, and several great-great nieces and nephews, as well as her sister-in-law: Ellen (Stott) Allen of Missouri.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; brother Frank Hansen (1971) and one nephew Aage Hansen, II.

The family will receive friends at Evergreen Cemetery, 1275 Cemetery Road in Morris on Friday, June 24, 2016, from 10:30 a.m. until time of graveside services 11:00 a.m. It is here that Jean will be laid to rest with her parents, brother and nephew.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jean’s memory to the family for distribution to the various charitable organizations Jean was involved.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Jean’s memorial page by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Green Flameless Cremation Services and Memorial Arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Matthew R. Baskerville, CFSP.

Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd., 408 East Washington Street, Morris, Illinois 60450 (815/942-2500)