Sharlene Hansen

Sharlene Verlee (Arnold) Hansen, age 85, of Denison, Iowa passed away on January 27, 2026. She passed away peacefully at home with her husband beside her.

Sharlene was born on March 15, 1940 to Mervin and Lucille (Hansen) Arnold. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm nine miles south of Denison. Sharlene went to country school near her home through 8th grade when she started attending Denison High School, graduating with the Class of 1958. Sharlene was very proud that she held the high score in her high school typing class at 66 words per minute with 5 errors or less.

After high school, Sharlene attended the Jenny Edmundson Nursing School in Council Bluffs for one year. Sharlene then worked as a secretary at the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute in Omaha. It was while living in Omaha that she met her husband of 58 years, Kenneth Hansen at Kelley’s North Bowl in Omaha.

On September 30, 1967, Ken and Sharlene were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church in Blair, Nebraska. They made their home in Omaha before returning in 1968 to Sharlene’s hometown of Denison. Sharlene devoted many years to being a stay-at-home mother and later rejoined the workforce once her children were older.

In her younger years, Sharlene enjoyed bowling and participated in three different leagues while living in Omaha, later continuing league bowling in Denison. She was proud of her high score of 297. Sharlene also had a love for antiques and cookbooks, at one time owning more than 100. She took great pride in preparing good, home-cooked meals for her family each day.

Ken and Sharlene shared a love of travel throughout their marriage, with Lake Tahoe holding a special place in their hearts. They visited there seven times over a span of about nine years.

In 2006, Sharlene was proud to attend the Iowa State Fair where her family farm was declared a century farm.

Sharlene was currently member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison. Her faith in the Lord is what gave her the most peace in her final days. She was very faithful and was ready to meet her Lord and Savior.

Sharlene is preceded in death by her parents, Mervin and Lucille Arnold and her son-in-law, Michael Friedrichsen. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Kenneth, her three daughters: Marsha (John) Stoll of Mokena, Illinois, Michelle Friedrichsen of Denison and Marie Reynolds of Omaha. She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, whom she adored: Dylan Friedrichsen of Omaha, Andrew and Rebecca Stoll of Mokena, Illinois and Matthew and Rhyli Reynolds of Omaha.

Sharlene was very thankful for her long, full life with many memories of family and friends. She wanted everyone to know how thankful she was to have you all in her life.

Visitation with the family greeting friends will be held Friday, January 30, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by her funeral service at 11:00 a.m., all at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison. Burial will be held at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison. Memorials may be directed to the family.