Barbara Clark Hanson passed away peacefully on August 12, 2024, surrounded by family in Bellevue, Washington.  A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt, Barbara lived most of her adult life in Vancouver, Washington before moving to Bellevue in 2017 to be closer to family.

Barbara was born and raised in Yakima, Washington and graduated from Central Washington University with honors in 1953.  In both high school and college, she was active in student government, hosted radio shows and sang in select choral groups.  Following college, Barbara moved to Vancouver to begin her teaching career where she taught music and elementary grades in local public schools for most of the next 40 years.

While in college, Barbara met Richard (Dick) Hanson, the love of her life, whom she married in 1957.  They spent their first year of marriage teaching on a U.S. air force base in Germany and exploring Europe, often camping in a cozy pup tent.  They never stopped reminiscing about their early joyful European adventures, which were a highlight of their life together.  Returning to the Portland/Vancouver area, they welcomed a daughter, Renee, in 1960 and a son, Greg, in 1962.  Barbara stayed home for the next few years, opening a small preschool and teaching piano lessons until her own children started school.  In addition to their day jobs, Barbara and Dick started Hanson's Christmas Trees, cultivating over 50 acres of trees.  Barbara retired in 1991, and she and Dick begin enjoying extensive trips throughout the world.  She was heartbroken when Dick died in May 2000 after a long battle with cancer.

Barbara continued to travel on trips with her children, grandchildren and friends.  She also spent time every year staying on Maui with Renee's family.

Barbara loved music and sang in Portland's Brahms Singers as well as her church choirs, where she was a frequent soloist.  She was also an accomplished pianist and organist.   Barbara was a superb cook, seamstress and decorator and was renowned within her extended family for her beautiful flower garden, immaculate house, delicious meals and gracious hospitality.  She was a member of St. Paul and Messiah Lutheran churches and volunteered actively with the American Cancer Society.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Dick, her parents Milton and Winnie Clark, her sister Marge Scott, and her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Harry and Gladys Flesher, Will Pool and Chad Scott.  She is survived by her daughter Renee Romerdahl (Eric), her son Greg Hanson (Lorianne), 5 grandchildren and one great grandson.  She will be missed by all, including a slew of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many, many friends.

A memorial service to celebrate Barbara's life will be held on November 16 at 2:00 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church at 905 NW 94th St, Vancouver, WA 98665.  She was interred next to her husband at Finley-Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Portland, Oregon at a private ceremony in August.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society.