Rita Darlene Hanson, 83

Rita Darlene Hanson was born April 29, 1940, to Cecil and Bernice (Rew) Dobler in Worley, Idaho. She joined an older sister, Beverly. As a young girl, Rita and her family moved to Coeur d’Alene and Rita graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School. On July 4, 1958, Rita married Daniel Hanson and they settled in Renton, Wash., where their first three children, Kelly, Paul and Stacy, were born. In 1966, they moved to North Spokane and purchased 6 acres where they built their home and raised their family, with two more children, Jane and Danette, rounding out the family. Rita and Dan were married for 44 years before Dan’s death in 2002. Rita eventually moved to Post Falls, Idaho, to be closer to her children. She died at Orchard Ridge Assisted Living in Coeur d’Alene, with family by her side, Sunday, July 30, 2023, at the age of 83.

Rita and Dan were very involved in their church, volunteering their time and shuttling children and friends to youth activities all over the Northwest. They shared a love of travel and visited nearly every state in the U.S. and several countries including Thailand, Africa and China. Following Dan’s death, Rita continued traveling, including Russia, Greece and mission trips to Nicaragua and Ethiopia.

An industrious homemaker and hostess, Rita knew how to stretch a dollar and kept the large family happily well-fed. Known for her casseroles, she was dubbed the “Casserole Queen” by her children and their friends. Until the very end of her days, Rita always wanted her guests to share a meal or snack with her. She loved God, spending time with children, grand and great-grandchildren, baking, drinking good coffee, lunch and laughter with friends, the theater and symphony, and rooting for the Zags and Mariners.

Rita is lovingly remembered by her five children, Kelly (LaRee) Hanson, Paul (Bonnie) Hanson, Stacy (Scott) Whitesitt, Jane (David) Salmons and Danette Hanson; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and a sister, Beverly (and Duane) Baslington. She is preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Forest Hanson.

Services and reception will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, at One Place Church, 190 W. Centra Drive, Hayden, ID. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park in Spokane. Visit www.yatesfuneralhomes.com for more details and to leave a tribute.