Gayle Lynn Hanson

Our beloved mother and grandmother passed away on January 22, 2023.

Gayle Lynn Sorensen was born August 14, 1940, in Sugar City Idaho to Edward Ray Sorensen and Melba Lily Reynolds. She had 4 loving siblings, Jimmy, Lanny, Genevieve and Duane. She loved Idaho and called it home for the next 24 years. She met the love of her life James “Terry” Hanson and they wed on May 31, 1958 in Newdale, Idaho. Their love was lifelong and beautiful. They were blessed with three beloved sons, Danny Lee, James Lynn, and Kenneth Bryce.

In June of 1964 her family as well as Terry’s parents, Jim and Alta, settled at the current homestead between Twin Bridges and Sheridan. She loved watching her boys and all that they achieved, through sports and in life. Gayle and Terry ran the ranch with their sons for many years. Moving on from farm life, she then served as a bookkeeper at Hanson Freight for over the next 20 years. Anyone that knew Gayle, knew she had many hobbies. Her favorites included tending to her garden, creating outfits for her doll collection, and always sewing special projects with love for others. She took pride in her community serving through her church, the Twin Bridges Historical Society, VFW auxiliary, and being a senior companion. She was an active member of the Centennial Valley Historical Society and was instrumental in writing the books “A Journey Through Time Volume I and II”, about living and working in the Centennial Valley in the 1900s.

One of her greatest joys in life was the birth of her grandson, James Bryce, in 1984. She adored being a grandma and spending summers with her grandson. She often spoke of how much she cherished their nature walks and catching fireflies. These also would later become cherished memories she also experienced with her great grandchildren. In 1998 with the union of Lynn and Debra, Gayle gained Amanda and Rocky as loving grandchildren. When Ken and Missy wed in 2018, Derik and Sady were added to her list of grandchildren. She took great pride in being Grandma Gayle and was elated when she became a great-grandmother to Kaleb, Ethan, Jimi, Cooper, Aziadiea, Gracie, Kasey, Everly, and Jessie. She was over the moon when she became a great-great-grandma in December of 2021 to little miss Elain Smail.

Her family bonds were strong, so she knows how much everyone will miss her. We are thankful for the abundance of memories she left behind. She had an incredible unwavering faith that we all inspire to embrace. Gayle’s smile, laugh, humor, and kindness will stay in our hearts until we see her again. We know she is now in Terry’s loving embrace once again.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Terry. Daughter-in-laws Joanne and Debra. Her parents and siblings Jimmy, Lanny and Genevieve.

She is survived by her sons Danny and Lynn of Twin Bridges, and Ken (Missy) of Helena. Her brother Duane Maupin of Blackfoot, ID. Grandchildren: Bryce (Emily) Hanson of Helena, Amanda (Paul) Smail of Alder, Rocky Jones of Bozeman, Derik (Sara) Garrison of Helena, and Sady Garrison of Helena. Great Grandchildren Jimi and Cooper Hanson, Kaleb (Haley) Smail, Ethan Smail, Aziadiea Miller, Gracie, Kasey, Everly, and Jessie Garrison. Great great grandchild Elain Smail. Several loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Especially her best friend of almost 40 years, Camille. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Karen Sand, for being such a wonderful friend to mom.

Service will be held Saturday, February 4th, 2023 at 2:00pm at the Church of the Valley in Twin Bridges, MT. Reception to immediately follow. Cremation has taken place and burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Twin Bridges Food Pantry, 208 ½ S. Main St, Twin Bridges, MT 59754.