Reidun Hansen

May 30, 1934 -

Mar 1, 2022

Reidun Hansen, 87, passed away on March 1, 2022, surrounded by family at the Anchorage Pioneer Home.

Reidun was born to Johan and Anna Riksheim in Langevag, Norway, in 1934. After high school, she attended business school at Ulvestad Handelskole in Alesund from 1951-52. This is when she first met her future husband, Steinar. During the years until they met again, she worked in Bergen and then attended Inntrondelag Husmorskole, a home economics school, from 1955-56, where she was considered a "city girl" amongst all the farm girls. In 1960, when Reidun was working at a bank in Alesund she met Steinar again. While they had started dating, Steinar soon left Norway to fulfill his dream of coming to Alaska. Six months after Steinar left, he realized that he couldn't live without her and invited her to come to Alaska. Reidun bravely accepted and traveled to Alaska alone from Norway to begin her new life together with Steinar.

Reidun worked as a nanny for her first year in Alaska caring for six children while learning to speak English and adjusting to a new culture. On Aug. 5, 1961, Reidun and Steinar were married at the original Central Lutheran Church in downtown Anchorage, and remained members for the rest of their lives. Their son, Bjarne Johan, was born in 1964; and daughter, Anita Michelle, was born in 1969.

In 1965, Reidun and Steinar built a house on Melvin Avenue that they would share for the rest of their lives. She made the house a home and took pride in her homemade bread and raspberry jam, almond coffee cake and butter cookies. They were enjoyed by so many. She always made sure her family was well fed and that the house was ready anytime a friend came to the door for a cup of coffee. She always wore an apron at home and never left the house without her pink lipstick on. Reidun was a tireless worker and always thought of others before herself. She was giving and kind and her smile could light up a room.

Reidun joined the Sons of Norway Bernt Balchen Lodge in 1962, and was an active lifelong member. The friends she made there were like family. They cooked together, raised their children together and supported each other. Reidun was always willing to help at events and chaired the annual far-i-kal dinner for many years. Reidun also worked as the office manager and custodian for Viking Hall for nearly 20 years.

Some of her favorite things to do were spending time with friends at the family cabin on Hourglass Lake, fishing trips to Seward, tea parties with her grandchildren, knitting and picking berries. She was the fastest and cleanest berry picker around and even helped to pack out a moose or two.

Reidun was preceded in death by her husband, Steinar Hansen; and parents, Johan and Anna Riksheim. She is survived by her children, Bjarne (Jacqueline) Hansen and Anita (Lloyd) Persson; grandchildren, Vivian and Melissa Hansen, and Hanna and Sevrin Persson; brother, Jan (Berit) Riksheim; and extended family in Norway and Alaska.

Reidun was slowly taken away from those who loved her by the effects of vascular dementia. The family is very grateful for the wonderful care she received at the Anchorage Pioneer Home for a decade, where Steinar visited her every day for lunch.

Memorial donations can be made to Sons of Norway or Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska.

A service will be held for Reidun and Steinar Hansen in Anchorage on April 1, 2022, at 2 p.m., at Central Lutheran Church, 1420 Cordova Street, with a reception immediately following at Viking Hall, 8141 Briarwood Street.