Inez Mae

Hansen

Inez Mae Hansen Age 97 passed away at the family home on Nov 6, 2026.

Born June 29,1929 on the Montana High Line to Ben and Emily Wilmes. She spent her early years in Joplin Montana. Inez learned to cook in the family restaurant. In 1949 met and married Lester Hansen and they enjoyed 58 years together. They had three children and spent many years traveling the State of Montana to follow the kid’s sports. Many times, if the cheerleaders had no way of getting to games they would cram into the family car and ride to the games. Mom was a stay-at-home mother who took care of several of the neighborhood kids, until all the kids were in school, Inez rejoined the work force working part time at JC Penney’s, before moving on the Montana Power Company. Later she started working for the State of Montana in the Department of Revenue. She retired and the spent the next many years taking care of Lester and helping her kids and grandchildren.

Inez was an amazing baker and whenever friends or family showed up sooner or later, they were raiding the freezer for a large choice of homemade cookies. She also loved to decorate cakes and could create trains, dolls, and so many other wonderful designs whatever you wanted for your birthday cake she would find a way to create it. We enjoyed homemade breads, coffee cakes, lefsa and especially cinnamon rolls. If you ever left her house hungry that was your choice, as she loved to feed anyone who came to visit, and everyone was welcomed to the house.

Inez was an amazing gardener, and her rock garden was a thing of beauty. Many times, people would stop by to look at them and to ask advice. She even had someone ask to buy the house just because the garden was so beautiful.

Inez is survived by her three children Gary (Pam) Hansen of Rochester Mn, Cheryl O’Connor of Helena and Daryl (Juanita) of Livingston Montana. Three grandchildren Jasmine Hansen, Jerle Hansen and Katie Rae Hansen. Two great grandchildren Talia (Dakota)Hansen Carbah and Zane Hansen. One sister Joetta Terwolbek and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in Death by her parents Ben and Emily, brothers Floyd Wilmes and Harold Wilmes, and sister Leonna Johnson, granddaughter Joceyln Hansen and grandson Matthew O’Connor.

Per Inez’s wishes there will be no ceremony and her cremated remain shall be interred with Lester ‘s remains at Fort Harrison later.