Jill Hansen

Jill Ane Hansen was born August 23, 1972, in Silverton, Idaho. As a small child, Jill moved to northern California with her family. Jill grew up in Redding, California, where she attended local schools and eventually graduated from Central Valley High School in Shasta Lake City. Jill enjoyed academics and was a cheerleader. Shortly after graduating, Jill began working for and was mentored by a local dentist who noticed her ambition and curiosity, and she received her dental assistant certification.

Jill moved to Pocatello, Idaho, in 1993 to attend Idaho State University. While attending Idaho State, Jill met the love of her life, Kyle Hansen. Jill and Kyle were married in 1994. They were together for more than 30 years.

Jill and Kyle are the parents of Sarah Hansen Guthmiller of Idaho Falls and Olivia Hansen of Seattle, Washington. They are the grandparents of Eve Guthmiller.

Jill traveled across the country, and over the years made homes with her family in Pocatello, Idaho, Columbia, Maryland, Alameda, California, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and San Francisco, California.

Jill was an avid reader and lifelong learner. She loved gardening, she was a skilled cook and baker, and was a self-trained seamstress, making shirts and clothing for her husband and children. Jill worked in various jobs throughout her life including dental assistant, legal assistant, and bookkeeper.

Jill returned to academics in 2019 and attended the business program at the College of Eastern Idaho. Jill loved her return to formal education and flourished while at CEI where she developed a group of wonderful friends.

Jill’s greatest joy in life was her family. She dedicated her life to raising and caring for Sarah and Olivia, and was overjoyed when her family grew to include her son-in-law, Daniel, and her dear granddaughter, Eve. She was Kyle’s best friend, biggest supporter, and his inspiration.

Jill was a loyal and dedicated friend and neighbor. Everywhere she lived, she made lifelong friends with whom she maintained regular contact. Jill’s skill in making and maintaining relationships was based on her uncommon selflessness, empathy, and her insistence on putting others’ needs before her own. Jill treated everyone she encountered with love and appreciation. Jill’s heart was full when she was connecting with the people she loved, making new friends on her travels, and spending time nurturing her pets. Jill loved caring for animals, and her pets were an integral part of her life.

Jill loved to travel. She frequently visited the beaches of Mexico with her family and traveled to Europe. For the last 5 years of her life, Jill was a part-time resident of San Francisco, California, where she loved living the city life, exploring, enjoying the beauty of the city and, of course, spending time with family and friends.

Jill’s resilience and determination was a powerful presence and strength for her family and friends in every moment as she fought an eight-year cancer battle. After receiving her diagnosis, Jill’s approach to life endured and she did not permit cancer to define her; Jill continued to live life the same way she had every day prior, lighting up every room she entered with gratefulness for every small special moment and a determination to live the phrase she chose to have tattooed on her arm after her diagnosis, “joie de vivre.” Though she was the strongest warrior, Jill’s days through her cancer fight were focused not on illness, but on her joy of life and living every moment with love.

Jill is survived by her parents, John and Linda Warren of Redding, California; husband, Kyle Hansen; daughters, Sarah Hansen Guthmiller and Olivia Hansen; son-in-law, Daniel Guthmiller; granddaughter, Eve Guthmiller; brother, Jason Warren of Sacramento, California; and sister, Shelley James of Redding, California. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jess and Reba Warren and Jack and Loraine Hayslip.

A private celebration of her life will be held, and Jill’s ashes will be scattered on her favorite beach in Mexico.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the College of Eastern Idaho general scholarship fund in Jill’s name: https://ceigiving.org/donate/.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.