Lifelong Alamosa resident, Eileen Eleanor (Hansen) Burt, 83, passed away July 23, 2017. She was born on July 5, 1934 in Alamosa to William August Hansen, born in Alamosa CO, and Edith Julia Louise (Tripp) Hansen, born in Golden CO.
She was preceded in Death by her parents, a brother, William Arthur Hansen of Salt lake City UT, a sister, Elizabeth Louise Curtis (Robert), Roseburg OR, a niece, Marilyn (Curtis) Essig (Jake), San Francisco CA, and 4 Grandchildren: Timothy Smith, Ramon Vigil, Kayleigh Mae Burt, and Gwendolyn Vigil.
She was the dearly beloved wife of lifelong Alamosa resident John R. Burt for 66 years. She was also the devoted mother of Jacqueline North (James) of Livingston TX, Noelle Vigil (Albert) of Buena Vista CO, and John Eric Burt (Lisa) Alamosa CO, an aunt to many nieces and nephews, and had many cousins. She will be missed by one sister-in-law, Norma Hansen of Salt Lake City UT, and three brothers-in-law Richard Burt (Marie) of Peoria AZ, Blaine Burt (Karen) of Littleton CO and South Fork CO, and Nolen Burt (Dee) of Colorado Spring CO.
Grandma, was her title to eight people; Amy Kagy (Kevin) Richmond TX, Tiffany Svatek (Troy)of Needville TX, Damon Smith (Trina), Katy TX, Genevieve Bonsall, Denver CO, Sophia Vigil (Brooks Larson) of St. Paul MN, Erika Du Bose (Craig) Houston TX, Raleigh Burt, Alamosa CO, and Leighton Burt, Alamosa CO. She continues her legacy with 11 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great Great Grandchildren.
Eileen’s love for the San Luis Valley ran deep in her veins. She was the Great Granddaughter of one of the San Luis Valley’s early European settlers, Peter (Papa Pete) Hansen born in Schleswig Holstein Germany and his wife Emelie Antonia Margot (Tessendorff) Hansen born in Altdamm Germany. She also had a love for her ancestry. Her mother’s family settled in Tripp’s Point (outside of Kittery, Maine) in the 1630’s.
During her life, she was active in Child Study Club, Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls, Cub Scouts, SLV Historical Society, Chapter DP PEO (philanthropic educational organization) for women’s education, and many other important causes in the community. She also loved attending productions at ASU, local schools, and skiing Wolf Creek. Eileen’s friendly smile was always welcome by her husband, John and his business partner, Art Gilbert (Shirley) at Chaparral Tire Store (originally Big O Tires). She especially enjoyed her employees and customers during their ownership of the Baskin Robbins. People knew her eagerness to help others and her genuine love for all, truly being one to whom no one remained a stranger.
Eileen was cremated and her spirit will be spread across the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges she loved so much. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the First Methodist Church at 2005 Mullins in Alamosa on Saturday, August 12, 2017 starting at 11:00 with a formal recognition at noon then a come and go reception will follow until 3:00. In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Chapter DP PEO Scholarship Fund for high school seniors in the SLV. Please send donations in care of the First Methodist Church, in Alamosa, CO, at 2005 Mullins Ave.
Arrangements are in care of Rogers Family Mortuary of Alamosa. Online condolences, tributes and remarks for Eileen’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com