Carolyn Lavonne "Bajita" Hanson

Carolyn Lavonne "Bajita" Hanson passed away Sunday, May 10, 2015, at the Village Health Care Center of complications from her recent back surgery at the age of 80.

Carolyn was one of four children to Donald and Myra Hartzell and was born on Jan. 19, 1935. Her sisters Judy (Bill) and Donna (deceased) and brother Jim (deceased) grew up in Indiana. From there, they moved to Ohio, where she attended Euclid High School. It was there where she enjoyed cheerleading and excelled in scholastics. She later went to college at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. While attending Bowling Green State University, she met her husband (Donald Walter Hanson, deceased).

In the '60s, they built a home in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. She finished her master's degree in Spanish at Kent State University and became the Spanish teacher and tennis coach at Chagrin Falls High School. There she spent 24 years teaching, coaching and making friends with the faculty and students alike with whom she kept in touch with a great many until her final days.

In 1994, she and Don retired and moved to Potomac, where they built a home down the road from her son Kyle and wife Jeanne. It was there that she made many new friends. She was also very much involved with the Blackfoot Community Center. She graciously volunteered her time to help others. Her love of the mountains and the overall beauty of Montana was her spirit. She adored animals and loved to explore the vast expanses of that state along with being an avid horseback rider. Carolyn also continued to perform her duties as a teacher in Montana, substitute teaching for many years after her retirement from Chagrin Falls High School.

Carolyn was a woman full of life, independent (sometimes hardheaded) and not only a mom, but a friend to all with a genuine heart of gold. She will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Morgan (Clive); her son, Kyle Hanson (Jeanne); and her sister, Judy Reasner (Bill).

Private family services will be held at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, May 29, at 2 p.m. followed by a celebration of Carolyn's life at Cully's in Potomac on Saturday, May 30, at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 5705 Grant Creek, Missoula, MT 59808.
Read Carolyn Hanson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.