Eleanor Evonne “Elly” (Northway) Hansen

Published 10:38 pm Thursday, March 23, 2017

1937 – 2017

Eleanor Evonne (Northway) Hansen of Metolius, OR, died in her home, surrounded by her family on February 16, 2017. She was 79 years old.

Elly grew up in the Cottage Grove area. She attended grade school and graduated from Cottage Grove High School in 1955.

Elly is survived by her husband, Nels Hansen; sons, Mark (and wife, Cathy) and Dave Hansen (and wife, Janine); daughter, Julie Nisley (and husband, James); grandchildren, Tony (and wife, Megan), and Derek Hansen (and wife, Mary), and Ian Nisley; along with her two great-granddaughters, Zoey and April Hansen.

Elly was born on October 21, 1937, in Marysville, CA, to Adeline (Meyers) and Percy Northway, along with her three sisters, Alvina, Violet, and Evelyn. She met Nels in 1956 and fell in love. Elly and Nels were married on November 24, 1956, and the pair moved to Portland. During their time in Portland, they welcomed three children into their home. After moves to California, Missouri, and Montana, the couple settled in Metolius, OR, where they lived together for the past 44 years. Upon their arrival in Metolius, Elly worked for a few years at the Cove Palisades State Park. Her children remember her as a wonderful mother who was patient, caring, and kind.

Elly enjoyed camping, knitting, going on walks, gardening, playing cards, her role as Mom and traveler in her daughter’s book club, her monthly Bunco club, and most especially, helping to raise her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a fierce love for her family. She was the best cook in Central Oregon and the sweetest lady you could ever know.

Elly was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Violet.

Elly did not wish to have a service; instead, she wanted to have her ashes spread in the Ochoco National Forest surrounded by family and close friends.