Marianne Hansen, 68

Born on October 29, 1939 in Speicher, Germany, she was the daughter of Leo and Katherina (Pitsch) Scherer. She passed away August 23, 2008 in her home in Alamogordo. Marianne was united in marriage to David L. Hansen August 9, 1966 in Bitburg, Germany. She became a US Citizen in San Francisco in 1967.

She enjoyed traveling and saw much of the world during her life and also enjoyed being a member of the Traveling Elks and the Cactus Jumpers. She hosted two exchange students and was able to assist in returning a found German soldier's diary from North Africa of 1942 through one of her exchange students. The North Africa Korps honored its return to the author's surviving widow, and subsequently presented her with an honorary member certificate. She deeply loved her family, and enjoyed knitting, needlepoint, crocheting, cooking and playing card games. She was a pillar of strength and always had wise and loving council for those who sought her advice. Her family and friends will miss her.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 42 years, David; one daughter, Gabriele McDonald of Ingleside, IL; three grandchildren, Katherina "Keddy" Richardson and husband Yoshi of Alamogordo, David McDonald, of Alamogordo, and Patrick McDonald of Eglin Air Force Base, FL; two great grandchildren, Andrew and Andrea Smith, of Alamogordo; her only sister Ruth Kleemann of Speicher, Germany and her nephew, Frank Kleemann of Stuttgart, Germany.

A memorial service for Marianne Hansen, 68, will be held at the Moose Lodge on Friday, 29 August at 12:00.

Direct Cremation will take place under the care of PCS Direct Cremation Services.