Heidi Marie Hanson

About Our Heidi I wrote an entire list of words before beginning the impossible task of writing an obituary for my only sister, Heidi.Even using that word in the same sentence with her name is unthinkable, and yet, here are. My list includes words like brave, self-confident, fiercely independent, and hard-working, to name just a few.Yet, while all of these words certainly describe Heidi, I don’t think any single one of them could ever adequately define her:She was an “anomaly”, meaning quite simply that she deviated from what is standard, normal or expected – she was and will always be uniquely Heidi - uniquely herself.There never was and never will be anyone like her. That seems to be such cliché, but anyone who knew Heidi would just have to agree – to know Heidi was to love Heidi.There wasn’t anyone I ever knew who met her that didn’t have an immediate affection for her.She had such a beautiful, radiant smile, and a self confidence that was so bright and contagious that you just wanted to be near her and bask in the sheer joy and glory of it.She simply brightened any room she walked into. And her humor – Lord, her humor!To say she could make anyone laugh is no exaggeration.She was zany & crazy, but also sincere, genuine and had that perfect touch and timing that that could disarm the stone-coldest of people.It was a gift she used well and often, and it helped her form bonds with friends and family alike, but it was especially true when it came to our brother Zach. Theirs was a special bond that had been there since babyhood.They could find a way to make each other laugh, even while in the midst of the hardest times and tears.As the oldest of us three, I tended toward the serious:but her just being her, taught my heart to engage with laughter and the ridiculous better than anyone else ever could. Heidi had a way of lighting up a room.She forced anyone in the vicinity to laugh whether they wanted to or not.She was quick with a witty remark, ready for every occasion.She was flamboyant, and had a crazy dance move to add flare and entertainment to each remark she made.Heidi was relentless -- like when she would chase my dad around during holiday get-togethers to give him “purple nurples” or jump me from behind (or in front, or from the side, or from anywhere), wrestling me to the ground and then laying on top of me if I wasn’t giving her enough attention. She was also famous, (along with my brother Zach) for being able to provide a running (and yes, sometimes annoying) stream of quotations from“Family Guy” -- word for word -- for what seemed like hours on end. My sister was seven years younger than me.Our childhood years were filled with the usual:vacations, Trick or Treating, Christmases, Thanksgivings, birthdays, and the usual, harmless bickering among siblings. We definitely fought like sisters. But we always made up and we always came together. Though I was the oldest, she could and would reverse that role with me effortlessly when the need would arise. As Heid and I both grew older, I would find myself more and more often looking up to her; being able to ask and then receive advice and comfort when needed. She was what my mother often described as “an old soul.” Because of our age difference, the time inevitably came when we would spend more and more time apart and though we would still get together as a family for the holidays, for weddings, and other special occasions, her friends from school and church became the center of her life.She met two of her best friends, Amanda and Hannah, forming what they called “the clan” – that also included Olivia, Michael, Cody and Katie.She went on numerous mission trips and fall retreats - to Iowa, Kentucky, San Diego, and twice to the Dominican Republic.She would go on camping trips with the Nabors family – becoming like a 2nd daughter to Denise & Jim -- who Heidi christened officially as “Senior Lose” when she would beat him at backgammon.She traveled to Lima Peru with our parents to attend our Uncle Tom and Aunt Patty’s wedding.These trips fit with her fearless and adventurous nature to a tee and helped her develop a true love of traveling to new places both near and far. Immediately after graduating from Millard North High School in 2012, Heidi headed to Lincoln to attend UNL at the age of 17, where she continued immersing herself in social life, church, classes, and new part-time jobs that she loved.One of those that was particularly close to her heart was at the United Methodist Church Youth Program in Lincoln, where she worked with our cousin Matt.She also worked at the Bread and Cup restaurant in the Farmer’s Market, staying there from its opening until it closed several years later.Her last job before returning to Omaha this last year was at Billy’s Restaurant, and like every place she had ever worked, she was well-loved by the owners, co-workers and patrons alike.Most recently, she worked at Jake’s Cigars in Benson. And of course – there was lots of travelling – back to San Diego (a 21st birthday trip with just her and our mom), camping or tubing in Colorado and Nebraska and traveling well beyond – Israel, Italy, France, a six-week stint as an exchange student in Bilbao, Spain; Paris, Croatia and I’m sure a few places I don’t even know about.It was during these last few years, though, that God particularly blessed our relationship and the time we were able to spend together.We had to adjust to being adults together, rather than as big and little sister – but it brought us closer than ever before and we would often spend our “alone time” together, sometimes spent in the mutual silence of each other’s company, with both of us finding relief in our ability to ignore the phone and the outside world. We have always had a deep love for Heidi and we are so grateful to God for the deep conversations we were given the opportunity to have.I will never forget our own night-long talks and quiet times, but the conversation that sticks out most happened once when Heidi came to me to speak comfort and told me how she always had wanted to be like me and listed off things about me that I would have never thought of myself.It served to both humble and amaze me because for longer than I can remember, I had always tried to be more like her.God so blessed us that our admiration and recognition of each other’s strengths had such a great impact on us both.It helped us to become the women we grew up to be.I will never stop trying to emulate her and will always look up to her. Heidi was the baby of our family but ever so much more.She was my mom’s “angel” and my dad’s little tom girl.She was so often the glue that bound us and brought us together, especially during the difficult and trying times that every family must endure.She was my brother’s only little sister and a great light and pillar of strength to us all while we had her.Like her family, her friends knew her for her fierce and steady loyalty, and that they could count on her to assist them in whatever they needed, providing comfort and encouragement in times of difficulty in such a perfect way.She always seemed to know just what to say.She accepted and knew Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and her witness to them served to lead others to find and follow him as well.She was a comforter, someone to make you laugh, to offer a hug or words of wisdom, and above all, could see the good in people when they couldn’t see it for themselves.She authentically offered beauty, comfort, gentleness, and great strength all at once. We will never stop mourning or missing our Heidi. She is a light gone out in our family, and though our memories do serve to brighten us even now, her light was so bright that for the moment all we can see in her absence is the dark.As it always does, the light of Christ will keep us and sustain us.Today and forever, we are comforted to know that she is with God our Father and in his presence, is able to adventure fearlessly into and among the width and breadth of the Heavens, where she will forever be filled with deep breaths, a clear mind, and a soul at rest in the knowledge that she is forever and perfectly cherished, loved and without pain. We love you Heidi! Preceded in Death:Cyrus and Rose Borland, great-grandparents, Lincoln, NE; Edward & Willa Kelly, grandparents, Key Center, WA; Samuel Kelly, Uncle, Key Center, WA; Randell Hanson, Uncle, Gig Harbor, WA; Joseph Geiss- Uncle, Longbranch, WA; Sadie Borland, grandmother, Lincoln, NE; and Jeri Garwood, Aunt, Gig Harbor, WA. Survived by:Michael & Carrie Hanson-parents, Omaha, NE; Samantha Hanson-sister, Omaha, NE; Zachary Hanson-brother, Omaha, NE, Jack Borland, grandfather, Lincoln, NE; Linda Geiss- Aunt, Longbranch, WA; Patrick Garwood-Uncle, Gig Harbor, WA; Michael & Mary Borland, Aunt and Uncle, Lincoln, NE; Tom & Patty Borland, Aunt and Uncle, Lincoln, NE; Gordon and Cyndee Reynolds-Aunt and Uncle, Tucson, AZ; Vicki Voitus-Aunt, Lincoln, NE. Cousins – Tiana Barone, Kyra McCarrell, Nick Filler, Erik Geiss, Michelle Geiss (Gig Harbor, WA); Matt Borland, Christopher Borland, Sean Voitus, Grace Voitus, and Wyatt Voitus (Lincoln, NE);Jack Reynolds, Ava Reynolds (Tucson, AZ); 2nd cousins – Gabriel Barone, Caleb Barone, and William McCarrell – Gig Harbor, WA. Celebration of Heidi’s Life: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 at 11:00am, with family receiving friends one hour prior to the service, all at Brookside Church (11607 M. Circle, Omaha, NE) Interment: Voss Mohr Cemetery In lieu of flowers, memorials given to the family, will be used in Heidi’s memory at a later date. Braman Mortuary - Southwest Chapel 6505 S. 144 St. Omaha, NE68137 402-895-3400