ATHALIE HANSEN

Gladys Athalie Hansen, 97, of Watervliet, Michigan, was taken up on the wings of Eagles to her eternal home in Heaven on Monday, July 21, 2025, at Corewell Health Merlin & Carolyn Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

Athalie was born in the morning of February 8, 1928, in St. Joseph, Michigan, to Alfred and Letty Otte, the first daughter of a family of eight siblings. She was raised in Benton Harbor and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1946. Athalie married her neighborhood sweetheart, Carl Hansen on October 14, 1950. In 1952, they made their home in Watervliet, Michigan, where they welcomed two daughters.

After an early career working at Bizer’s Drugstore across from Benton Harbor High School, of which she held fond memories all of her remaining life, Athalie happily took the role of homemaker and mother. She enjoyed caring for her flowers, cooking great meals and baking delicious desserts to celebrate all who were special in her life. As well, she was a loving and faithful caregiver to many family members. A woman of strong faith, Athalie enjoyed teaching Sunday School at Watervliet United Methodist Church and later became a cherished member of Watervliet Free Methodist Church.

Athalie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Bruce Kibler of Watervliet and grandsons, Eric (Abby Grajek) Kibler of Detroit and Ryan Kibler (Olivia Thibeault) of Seattle, WA. In addition, she is survived by great-grandson Lewis Kibler of Detroit. Other family members surviving are brother, Allen “Pat” Otte of North Carolina and sister-in-law, Frances Otte of Coloma; and a host of special nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews plus close family friends.

Preceding Athalie in death are her husband Carl (1998) and daughter, Susan (2008); her parents; brothers, Robert, Richard, William, Wayne and James; sister Lorayne Dahms; sister-in-law Harriett Stanford Schramm; and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place, serviced by Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma. A graveside service and celebration of life will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Athalie’s (Gladys’) memory may be made to Corewell Hanson Hospice Center, 4382 Cleveland Ave., Stevensville MI 49127 or Watervliet Free Methodist Church, 7734 Paw Paw Ave., Watervliet MI 49098.