Donna Jean Hanson

Donna Jean Beedle Hanson, 85, of Vandalia, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family at Boone Hospital.
She was born May 5, 1938, in rural Vandalia, Missouri, to Floyd and Thelma (Hodges) Beedle. She was united in marriage to James Dean Hanson on June 3, 1956.
Donna was a 1956 graduate of Vandalia High School. She lived in Washington State and Colorado Springs, CO with her husband during his military service prior to returning home to raise her family. Donna was a homemaker and was an Avon Lady for over 40 years winning numerous awards for her sales achievements. Her family fondly remembers her sitting in the floor of the living room filling Avon orders and riding along with her as she delivered those orders to her customers.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church and attended regularly prior to 2020 and loved reading the Church newsletter.
Donna could be found cheering her children and then her grandsons on in all of their athletic endeavors, traveling to softball, baseball and basketball games and was always their number one fan. She was a loving and caring Grandma and never failed to tell Rylee and Ryen that she loved them.
In her spare time Donna spent endless hours working on her lawn and flowers and in the Spring, Summer and Fall there were always lots of colorful blooms. She loved visiting with her neighbors and sitting outside directing lawn and garden work as well as driving around and admiring other people’s lawns and flowers. Donna was a wonderful cook and everyone loved when she made her pimento cheese. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Kim Hanson and her son, Scott Hanson. Grandsons Rylee Hanson and Ryen Hanson. Her closest cousins, Dianne (Dick) Hammett, Penny (Alan) Gottschalk and their children as well as numerous cousins living out of state. And her great-grand dog Kimber.
She was preceded in death by her Parents and her husband; Jim, of 52 years on August 28, 2008, her Father and Mother in law, Lee & Merle Hanson and her cats Lucky and Hallie.
Pallbearers will be Rylee Hanson, Ryen Hanson, Dick Hammett, Colby Stuart, Tom Stuart, and Doug Wood.
Visitation and services will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Bienhoff Funeral Home in Vandalia, MO. Visitation from 11:00am-1:00pm followed by funeral services at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that expressions of sympathy be made to the First Baptist Church Food Pantry, Vandalia, MO. Donations may be mailed in care of Bienhoff Funeral Home P.O. Box 54 Vandalia, MO 63382.
Donna will be greatly missed by those closest to her.