Polly Yuuki Hansen

Polly Yuuki Hansen, age 85, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her home on February 10, 2013, with her daughters at her side. Polly was born September 5, 1927, in Nagano, Japan, to Akezo and Koito (Kubomura) Karasawa. Polly graduated from college in Tokyo in 1950, majoring in literature. She taught typing and business skills and was an office administrator for the U.S. Army Engineers in Yokohama, Japan. Her supervisor gave her the nickname Polly, because he was unable to pronounce her given name, Yuuki (meaning Blessing and Joy). She met her future husband, Lloyd E. Hansen, while he was stationed in Japan during the Korean Conflict. After Lloyd was discharged from the Army in 1955, they moved to the United States, first to Council Bluffs, then to Ames, Iowa, where Lloyd attended Iowa State College, then back to Council Bluffs. When she became a naturalized citizen in 1960, she took Polly as her legal first name and used Yuuki as her middle name. Polly was a member of the Community of Christ church, where she had taught Sunday school for several years. She was a devoted mother and wife, fabulous cook, gracious hostess, talented calligrapher, avid gardener, and excellent seamstress. She was also a member of the Cloth Doll Creators. She enjoyed sharing her culture and talents with all she met, giving many Origami and Japanese cooking lessons and kimono presentations to schools and organizations. In addition to her parents, Polly was preceded in death by her brother Seiichi, sister Hisako, and husband Lloyd (2003). She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Michiko and Dr. Kunio Matsuda; daughters Karen Hansen, Sharon (Curtis) Dall; son Eric Lee Hansen; grandchildren Erin and Colin Dall; sisters and brother-in-law Ardis and John Bolgar, Zola Angeroth; cousins, nieces and nephews; friends; and the Lunch Bunch. She enlightened the lives of all she met and will be dearly missed. A celebration of life service is being planned for March 20, 2013. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Southwest Iowa, Wings of Hope, Community of Christ, or charity of your choice.