Sonja Louise (Jenssen) Hansen Obituary (1937 - 2024)

Sonja Louise (Jenssen) Hansen, "Sunny," ascended the rainbow with Jesus Christ as her guide on the morning of February 17, 2024. She was 86 years old. Among her many achievements, Sunny was a Debate champion, an elementary school teacher, a school librarian, a reading specialist within the Puyallup School District, a consulting reading specialist to China, and an applicant to NASA to be the first teacher in space. She married the love of her life, Leroy "Lee" Hansen, in 1956, who survives her and lives in Tacoma, Washington. Together with Lee, Sunny is survived by two daughters, Kari Louise Hansen, and Britt Marie Nelson (Mike), four grandchildren, Hans Nelson (Amy), Anna Halbur (Brian), Maya Forrester, and Rio Forrester as well as three great-grandchildren. They hosted two exchange students, Susanne Fridberg from Sweden, and Murielle Salvat from France. Sunny has two surviving siblings, Elizabeth Edwards of Woodinville, and David Jenssen of Naches. Sunny and Lee travelled the world extensively together with family and friends. Their favorite destination for the past 20 years has been Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Sunny and Lee have been longtime participating members in the Sons of Norway, they served for many years with the Daffodil Festival in Pierce County and Sunny volunteered with the United Methodist Church in Browns Point. Sunny will be forever remembered for her cheerful disposition, her love of nature, and her skills in crafting, music, and writing. Sunny summarized her life's achievements as Family, Love, and Joy. She created and achieved all of those and her presence will be missed by many. A reception in her honor was held at The Center at Norpoint, Margaret McCormick Hall, at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 24, 2024. Donations in Sunny's honor may be made to the Browns Point Methodist Food Bank or the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides free books to children ages 0 - 5.