Storm Lake Times Pilot

Susan (Hansen) West


She was smart. She was funny. And she played a mean piano. Most of all, Susan had a zest for life, and she lived it to the fullest extent possible right up to the end. She passed away on Dec. 19, 2020, after a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

A graveside committal service will be held on Saturday, July 31, at 10:30 a.m. at Storm Lake Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Research or Lakeside Presbyterian Church.

Susan (Hansen) West, the daughter of Leslie and Louise (Barton) Brewton, was born March 27, 1935 in Chicago, Ill. Susan’s first years were spent in her hometown of Lake Bluff, Ill. At the age of eight, she moved with her family to Phoenix, Ariz., where she enjoyed country living and riding her horse, “Pet.” From there, the family moved to South Pasadena, Calif., where she and her sister, Modesta, grew to love movies and the stars of the Silver Screen.

Susan attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, where she met her future husband, Douglas W. Hansen. After their marriage in 1956, Susan completed her BA in elementary education at University of Iowa, graduating in 1957. She taught grade school for several years, and later worked as a travel agent at Nomad Travel Agency in Storm Lake. Because she always enjoyed travel, the Nomad job was a perfect match: she loved having the excuse of needing to “familiarize” herself with exotic places to do that job well. During her 22 years in Storm Lake, she was active at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School, directed the handbell choir, and was elected a Deacon. She was also active in many volunteer organizations, including AAUW and the hospital auxiliary.

Susan enjoyed playing piano, and while in Storm Lake she taught piano lessons and accompanied high school music students at band competitions. She had perfect pitch. Having grown up with just one sister, she loved spending time with her extended family, and especially enjoyed the annual 4th of July family reunions.

Susan married Alan D. West in 2003 and spent her retirement years in Jupiter, Fla. While in Florida, she enjoyed golfing and lunching with friends, playing bridge, taking her dog Roxie for long walks, and watching the sandhill cranes from her back patio. But more than anything during this time, she enjoyed visits from her family, especiallv her beloved grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: David (Kathy) Hansen of Chanhassen, Minn.; John (Lauri) Hansen of Milwaukee, Wis.; and Ellen (Joe) Landau of Bella Vista, Ark.; seven grandchildren: Abby, Liz, Elise, Heidi, Sarah, Gabe and Jacob; 13 great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, sister, and her husband Alan.