You would be 94 today. You continue to mean so much to so many, yours truly included. You are as near as the wonderful memories you created for all of us who remember this most special day in our lives. We love you!

Another year has passed...

...yet your love abides.

Laura Louise Hanna

Happy Birthday, Mom!

There are no words to describe how much I miss you!  Life has literally not been the same since you died.  But, as I hope you are somehow aware, your love abides in the hearts and minds of everyone who was blessed by it.  Love is your legacy; the gift that keeps on giving.  Thank you for loving me, and for inspiring me to love as I have been loved.

Laura Louise Hanna

Laura Louise Hanna passed away on January 6, 2014, in Billings, Montana. Laura was born to Bert and Amy Gilliland of Phillipsburg, Kansas, on April 7, 1928. After graduating High School in Fountain, Colorado, she married Earl K. Hanna with whom she had son, Mark, and daughter, Kim. The parsonage family lived in Erie, Platteville, and Arvada, Colorado. Beginning at North Arvada Junior High in 1963, Laura touched innumerable lives as an office assistant and secretary, serving in similar capacities at Wheat Ridge Senior High and Everett Junior High before retiring in 1998. During those years, Laura volunteered at St. Anthony Hospital, Ridge Home, Fletcher Miller School, Craig Hospital, and as a Deputy Probation Officer for the 1st Judicial District. Laura was intensely interested in the world around her. She read extensively and traveled to North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Upon retirement, Laura moved to Billings to be near Kim and her family. Just as Will Rogers never met a man he didn't like, no one ever knew Laura without feeling her love. Laura is survived by her brother, Kenneth Gilliland; her sister, Yvonne Gibson; her son, Mark, and his wife, Mary; and her daughter, Kim, and her husband, Kirby Schmitz. Grandchildren are Rachel and Steve Gaisford (parents of Laura's great-grandson, Jack); Rebecca Hanna and Kevin Dugan; Kyler and Jenny Schmitz; and Konner Schmitz. Donations may be made to RiverStone Health Hospice Services,123 S. 27th St., Billings, MT 59101.

Published in Denver Post on Jan. 12, 2014

Laura's family and friends will gather at the Arvada United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr Street, on Saturday, February 1 at 10:30 AM for an informal time of fellowship and remembering.

***
April 7, 2015
There are no words to describe how much I miss you!  Life has literally not been the same since you died.  But, as I hope you are somehow aware, your love abides in the hearts and minds of everyone who was blessed by it.  Love is your legacy; the gift that keeps on giving.  Thank you for loving me, and for inspiring me to love as I have been loved.

***
Mother's Day, May 10, 2020 Mom and I corresponded via email for several years, the record of which I cherish for examples like this to show what a wonderful mother blessed my life:

May 10, 2010

My Dearest Mark:

It's a pretty, sunny morning here... always good for my outlook on life! (-:

Thank you for the lovely e-mail greeting yesterday. Kirby and the boys prepared a delicious brunch for Kim and me. It was a wonderful day. As always I enjoyed hearing from you. Thanks!

Last night (late) one of the teachers from Everitt Middle School called me.  A group of about 25 of the teachers I had known there had gotten together for a luncheon on Friday,  and she said they talked about how much I had meant to them while I was at the school.  It was nice of them to remember me that way.  We talked for an hour, so I now know about all the news from EMS!!!!

I hope you and Mary had a nice, relaxing weekend.  Affairs of the world seem to go on....always with a great deal of stress for our president.....and for many people whose lives have been upset by current events.

I send you my deep love and wishes for a good day. You are a wonderful son.