Else Bibow-Hansen, 90, of Forsyth passed away Sunday April 15, 2012 at St. Mary’s Hospital.
A service to celebrate Else’s life will be 1:00 p.m. Friday April 20, 2012 at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church 1330 N. Douglas Ave. Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Dawson & Wikoff North Chapel, Highway 51 Decatur is assisting the family with services. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Arlington Heights.
In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to the following: Heritage Behavioral Health Center, 151 N. Main St., Decatur, IL 62525; Cepudo Honduras at www.cepudohn.org; or Slavic Reformation Society, P.O. Box 794, Louisville, MS 39339 for the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Tyumen, Russia.
Else was born on December 17, 1921 in Sulitjelma, Norway, the daughter of Anna Nilsine Berg and Hartvig Bard Lund. She was the youngest of 6 children and was affectionately referred to as “Lillemor” by her family. Else earned her nursing degree in Trondheim, Norway, in 1946 and proceeded to work in Norway until 1950 when she immigrated to the United States. After a short stay on the east coast she moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she continued her nursing career and earned her citizenship as well as her status of RN through the state of Illinois in April of 1953. Else married Arthur Bibow-Hansen, also of Norwegian descent, on December 10, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois. They raised their three children: Eric, Trudy, and Kristine in Wheeling, Illinois, and remained married for 42 years until Arthur’s death in 1997. Else was beloved by many patients that she cared for up until 1995 when she suffered a traumatic brain injury. Determined, she learned how to walk, write, and speak again. Else relocated to Forsyth, Illinois, in the fall of 1997 where she resided in her own garden home at Hickory Point Christian Village and then moved into the assisted living facility in 2008. Else was a woman of strong faith and dearly loved her family as well as her extended family in Norway. She created many beautiful pieces in needlepoint and enjoyed classical music. Her sweet spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
Else is survived by her children: Eric Hansen of Decatur, Trudy Davis and husband Robert of Half Way, MO, and Kristine Hansen of Decatur. She is also survived by seven grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters and three brothers. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.
“A Life Celebration Home”
| Finn Forsdahl |
In memory of tante Lillemor |
April 27, 2012 |
Dear Eric, Trudy, Kristine and children
Since my childhood I was very proud of having an aunt in America. My father always talked dearly about tante Lillemor. My mother died young and her sister tante Lillemor meant something very special to me.
I so often wanted to visit her. But the years passed by. But I am now so happy that 5 years ago I could take my family with me and visit her in Forsyth. What a marvellous and lovely person she was. We have such great memories from the trip. We call our visit the great adventure. So you shall know she was so easy to love. She will always be in my memory. I am happy I still have an american family. I hope we shall meet soon. Our thoughts are with you all.
Love
Finn and Kirsti, Guro, Siri and little Lisa.
| Brenda Bibow Fotland |
Dear Eric, Trudy and Kristin |
April 22, 2012 |
Memories of tante Else are so many - cheerful, kind and heartwarming. As children, growning up we shared so many good times, tante Else always positive and supportive. All through the years, tante Else has been a constant, years could pass between our visits, but her warm smile and hugs were always the same, she will be missed. With loving memories, Brenda, Vera, Dag and Cindy
| Tove Forsdahl |
Dear Eric,Trudy and Kristin. |
April 19, 2012 |
I have so many good memory's of your mother,I will miss her.
Thank you Lillemor!
| Cecilia Bourguet |
My deepest condolences |
November 14, 2014 |
It is my wish to express my condolences and convey a comforting thought based on the Holy Scriptures.
John 5:28 "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out."
This passage speaks of open resurrection of our loved ones. It is God's plan to see us suffer and die, so invites us to "Come near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8)
Please go to the following link to obtain more information regarding the Hope expressed in these passages. http://www.jw.org
Can the Dead Really Live Again?
http://www.jw.org/finder?locale=en&docid=1102013500&prefer=lang
| Donna & Gabe Polly |
To My Friend and Neighbor Trudy ~ |
April 21, 2012 |
We are sharing in your sorrow with love, friendship, and support and continue to pray for your comfort. Love, Donna
| Karen Anna (Kika) Økland |
In mamory of Lillemor |
April 20, 2012 |
Dear Eric, Trudy and Kristine
Our thoughts are going to all of you - the loss of a mother is hard.
Lillemor was the sister of my mother, and was the last of the six sisters and brothers born in Sulitjelma, Northern Norway. In 1950-ies I stayed a year at the University of Chicago, and then I visited her and her family regularely. You were about one year old then, Eric, and I watched your first steps. Later, in 1973, I visited Chicago to see Lillemor and her family again.
And of course, several times she stayed by me and my family when she came to Norway. We have also been lucky to see both Eric and Kristine her.
It feels empty after Lillemor left.
Please remember that you have family in Norway, and that you always will be welcomed here!!
Lise and Finn and their families asked me to forward their condolence to you, and so does Jan.
Love from Kika
| The Stevens Family |
MorMor Else, We Love You |
April 20, 2012 |
Dear Trudy, Eric, and Kristine,
The passing of your mom has brought back so many found memories and how blessed we were to have each other. From the "A" Frame fort in your back yard, the classical music playing throughout your house, Eric practicing his trumpet in his room in the basement, your mom walking around the kitchen with her apron on and setting the perfect table, your dad walking around with his pipe, to Kristine and I practicing flags on the patio for band, to just last March when Mike, the girls, and I visited Else on our way to St. Louis, MO.
Else was sitting at the front door by the receptionist and it was as though she had been waiting for us; she was so surprised when we walked in. She smiled and her eyes sparkled...you know that sparkle in her eye? She took such pride in showing Mike around her home - where she lived, where she ate, where she collected her mail, introduced us to the friends she had made, to where the piano was. Sarah played a song or two and then Else sang for us! Melanie and Sarah loved this part "La, la, la, la!" Else would sing loud and proud. She always put a smile on our faces.
Growing up, Else was like a second mom to me. She was also a very good friend to my mom for many, many years. For this I will always be thankful.
We will celebrate Else's life today in church and rejoice that she is with our Lord!
MorMor Else (as Melanie and Sarah know her) will be very dearly missed by us all and our Dectuar trips will never be the same.
Ya-da!
Love,
Jeanette, Mike, Melanie and Sarah Stevens
| Vera Moberg |
Dear Eric, Trudy and Kristine |
April 20, 2012 |
We are so sorry to hear that our dear Aunt has passed away. We will always remember her kind ways and loving care. She will always have a special place in our hearts.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
