Jill G. Hansen

Jill Gruenkemeyer Hansen 68, of Ashland, Missouri, passed away on December 28, 2024. 

Jill was born on May 2, 1956, to H. C. “Dutch” and Betty Hopper Gruenkemeyer in Danville IL. Her father, a railroader, moved the family to Crete, Ill. before moving to Kansas City, MO. Jill graduated from Winnetonka HS in 1974 and the University of Missouri in 1978 with a BA in Biology. While at MU, Jill was a flag girl for Marching Mizzou and continued to march with the alumni band at homecoming for many years. Jill met Mark Hansen for the 1st time in 1976 when the band stopped in Maryville, MO. on its way to Lincoln, NE. Jill and Mark tell the story they saw each other once every 10 years after that, whether they needed to or not. Jill and Mark were married on September 1, 2005. 

Jill was a certified histotechnologist. During her career she worked for the University of Missouri’s Vet school, Boyce and Bynum, and retired from IDEXX in 2022. Jill was charter member of the Columbia 20/20 Lions club; she held many offices and was a willing volunteer at many projects in the Columbia community. She also belonged to the MU Bobby Wicher society where she was loved for her Texas Sheet Cake. She loved animals, especially dogs, and was a long-time supporter of the Spay and Neuter Project - Columbia. She and Mark volunteered their time as Santa and Mrs. Claus for the Spay and Neuter Project as well as various other events in December. She was a kindhearted person who always thought of others first. She loved her family and friends fiercely. If her dogs could talk, they would tell you she was the best dog mom ever!

She is survived by her husband, Mark, honorary daughter Mandy Martell and Godson Graham of Cedar, IA, foster daughter Taylor Plank of Sikeston, MO, and beloved dogs Henry and Callie; sister Jan (Bill) Lancaster of Amarillo, TX, nephews Richard (Sara) Lancaster of Amarillo, TX and Brian (Jennifer)Lancaster of Gainesville, FL; Brother-In-Laws, David (Linda) Hansen of Omaha, NE, and Dean (Kay) Hansen of Anita, IA; Nieces and nephews, Sara (Marc) Hickman of Plainfield, IL, Mike (Lynette)Hansen of Lincoln, NE, Chris (Betsy) Peterson of Lincoln, NE, Sonya (Jamie) Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, Nicole (Todd) Mattox of Gretna, NE, Natalie (Grant) Kimberley of Ankeny, IA, and Nathan (Terri) Hansen of Anita, IA. Honorary grandchildren Benji, Kane, Chase, and Jaxon Sadler and Caoimhe and Lochlann Baker. She also leaves behind many-many special friends.

 She was preceded in death by her father and mother and dogs Bailey, Buster, Sadie, and Sprig.

The funeral is scheduled for January 2, 2025, at 7:00 pm at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, 1610 N. Garth Ave., Columbia MO. Visiting hours will be at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel in Columbia from 5:00-7:00 pm on Thursday Jan. 2. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jill’s life. 

 In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Spay and Neuter Project - Columbia. Please bring a joyful attitude. 

Celebration of life services will be held in Fremont, IA at a later date.

 Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Hansen Family.