Eva G. Hanson

Dec. 23, 1946 – July 13, 2026

Eva Gifford Hanson, 79, passed away July 13, 2026, in Kennewick, Washington, with loved ones by her side.

Eva was born December 23, 1946, in Kane, Wyoming, to Andy and Lillian Jolley Gifford, the second of five children that lived out on the Crystal Creek Ranch outside of Lovell.

Eva attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie, where she graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. While at school she met and fell in love with Carl Hanson after being introduced to him by her older brother Dick.

They were married soon after that fall and settled down in Lovell to start their family. To this union was added six children, Matt, Doug, Melissa, Stephanie, Kevin and Sean. In addition, foster daughters Shelly and Kelli Gould also became family.

After several moves across a few states, they settled down in Tri-Cities, Washington, to continue building a life. She taught high school consumer economics classes while working diligently on her master’s degree in counseling from Washington State University and raising children. She finished out her working career at Walla Walla High School as a counselor. She was a very dedicated educator that enjoyed helping her students.

In her retirement she enjoyed a lot of gardening and working on renovation projects. She was also involved in the Burbank Ward for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Spending time with her children and grandchildren was her favorite.

Eva was preceded in death by her parents, Andy and Lillian Gifford, daughter Melissa Anne Hanson, brother Dick Gifford and sister Cheri Bischoff.

Eva is survived by her husband, Carl Hanson; eldest son Matthew Hanson and grandsons Liam and Cebe Hanson, Doug (Lisa) Hanson and grandson Daniel Hanson, Stephanie (Jamie) Nehls, Kevin (Amy) Hanson and grandsons Teddy and Charlie Hanson and Sean Hanson; brothers Dennis Gifford and Max (Jay) Gifford; aunt Mary Janie Watson; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Her sweet smile will be greatly missed by family and friends alike. 

Services will be held July 31 at !0 a.m. at the LDS Church in Lovell, with a viewing at 9 a.m. and interment at the Lovell Cemetary following the ceremony. A memorial will be held at the Burbank LDS Ward at a later date.