Sharon L. (Iness) Hansen

She was born on June 8, 1946 in Fowler, California. She lived most of her youth in Fresno, but her heart was in Shell Beach, California where she lived as a child and loved to visit throughout her life to see family and friends.

She graduated from Fresno High School and attended Lyle’s College of Beauty in 1964. During that time she met the love of her life, Herluf Hansen, at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor in Fresno and they married on September 7, 1965 in Reno, Nevada. She worked for a brief time at Irene’s Beauty Salon in Caruthers, until she found out she was expecting their first child. Herluf and Sharon spent their married life of 58 years in Caruthers.

Sharon’s beautiful smile and happy eyes were first to greet everyone she knew. She radiated love and friendliness to everyone and she didn’t know a stranger. She loved to travel and Sharon and Herluf took many memorable vacations with family and friends all around the world.

Throughout her years, Sharon was actively involved in many groups and organizations such as Caruthers Elementary PTA, Caruthers Youth Football Cheer Advisor, Caruthers High School Boosters, Caruthers Women’s League, California Raisin Wives, Danish Historical Society, Caruthers Chamber of Commerce and many years as the voice of the Caruthers Fair. Sharon was awarded Caruthers Chamber Woman of the Year in 1980, Caruthers Lions Club Mother of the Year in 2003 and Sharon and Herluf were Caruthers Fair Grand Marshals in 2015.

Sharon is preceded in death by her beloved daughter Cheryl Buntich, daughter-in-law Cindy Hansen, parents Alfred and Mary Iness, and brother Gary Iness.

Sharon is survived and missed by her husband and best friend, Herluf Hansen, daughter Kristen and Tim Duff, son Gerald and Felicia Hansen, daughter Sharon and Johnny Cavallo and son-in-law Steve Buntich. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren called her “Nana”: Zach and BreeAnna, Lawson and Lauryn Duff, Ryan Duff, Cole and Jacquelyn Hansen, Kyle and Erin, Keatyn and baby Hansen arriving 2024, Natalie Buntich, Jacob Buntich, Matthew Buntich, Anthony Hill, Gianna Cavallo, Amanda Ortiz, and Luke Cheney. Sharon will also be missed by her sister Lori Townsend and her family, Kelly and David, Ridley, Willa and Oliver Nichols and Christopher Townsend. Sharon’s love for her “family” was extended to so many including her in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like thank Sharon’s caregivers Maribel, Kathi, Sally, Belinda, Janie, Linda and all our family and friends for their care and compassion during her final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend her Celebration of Life service on October 14, 2023 at 11am in the Caruthers Fair Red Barn, 13599 S Raider Ave in Caruthers.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Sharon’s honor to the Cheryl Buntich Scholarship Fund or Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, listed under the Donations button.