On Monday, May 5th, 2025, we said goodbye to our beautiful mother and grandmother, JoEllen Hansen — a woman whose kindness, compassion, and quiet strength left a lasting imprint on every life she touched.

Born on July 1, 1946, in San Diego, JoEllen was adopted by Ruby and Earhart Hansen and spent a short part of her childhood in Fort Bragg before being raised in Sonoma County. She spent much of her young and adult life in Graton, California, surrounded by the community and family she loved.

JoEllen devoted many years of her life to caregiving as a nurse’s assistant, bringing comfort and support to patients with a gentle hand and a big heart. Later, she became a familiar face in the Guerneville community, working for many years as a beloved waitress at Pat’s Restaurant, where she was known for her warm smile and welcoming spirit. Whether in scrubs or an apron, JoEllen made people feel seen, heard, and cared for.

She was the proud mother of Mike, Nathan, and me, Tammy Lynn, and a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. Her love ran deep, and her legacy lives on through her family and the many lives she touched.

As we prepare to honor her memory and fulfill her final wishes, we’re asking for support with cremation costs and memorial arrangements. Any contribution — large or small — means the world to us during this tender time.

Thank you for keeping JoEllen in your thoughts, and for helping us give her the peaceful, dignified farewell she deserves.

With love and gratitude,

Tammy Lynn and Family