Carlene "Carla" Hansen's Obituary
Carla Hansen of Oshkosh Wisconsin passed unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep at her home on March 22.
She was born Carlene June Gear on January 27th, 1943 to Robert and Margaret Gear in Menasha, Wisconsin. She was an active student at Menasha High School and took pride in being part of the cheerleading squad.
She started her college career at Illinois Institute of Technology, pursuing a degree in nuclear physics. She put college on hold to marry her high school sweetheart, Andy, and start a family. She was the proud mother of 4 beautiful boys; Bruce (and Susie), who live in Hawaii, Richard (and Kandra), who live down the beach, Bob (and Liz) who live in Kiel and Mike (and Erica) who live in New York City. Additionally, she was a proud and happy grandmother to five wonderful grandchildren, Alexis, Eddie, Ally, Christopher and Annabelle.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Thomas, James and Robert and is survived by her sister Annabelle in Long Beach, California and her brother Gerry, and wife Sandy, who live in Wausau, Wisconsin.
In 1985 while raising her four boys, she completed her college degree from University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, earning a degree in Accounting with honors. She went on to become a Certified Public Accountant, enjoying a career with Schumaker, Romenesko and Associates and finishing her career as a finance manager with Brickham Stamping.
She loved and cared for many living things and was an active birder. She took great interest in seeing and identifying new birds for her life list, often traveling with her sister Annabelle to see new places and new birds. Her decades long dedication to the Winnebago Audubon Society earned her a Meritorious Service Award.
Her family are lifelong active members of the boat racing community, traveling throughout the country racing. She was dedicated pit crew for her family and was responsible for 3 national champions, two of her sons (Bruce and Mike) and her husband Andy, a member of the Racing Hall of Fame. Andy called her the Big Engine because she kept everything moving and working well.
She always looked forward to spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. She brought people together and made the lives of those around her better. As a loving wife, mother and friend, she will be dearly missed by many. A memorial service and celebration will be held in the late spring.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her name to the Winnebago Audubon Society.
https://www.winnebagoaudubon.org/donate.
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