Judith Ann Hanson

Judith “Judy” Ann Hanson, 67, peacefully passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Dengel & Son Mortuary – Paola Chapel, in Paola, Kansas. Family and guests are encouraged to wear bright colors, fun patterns, or anything that would reflect the unique and funky spirit of Judy and how she lived her life.

Judy was born on Wednesday, August 22, 1956, in Eureka, Kansas, the daughter of Clifford Allen Bisbee and Stella Alice Tharp. She grew up with four sisters – Kathy, Teresa, Sally Jo, and Cheryl; and one brother Chuck. The Bisbee family spent most of their lives in the Kansas City area. In the early 1980’s, Judy met Mitchell “Mitch” Hunter while working at a grocery store when Mitch was making his bread deliveries, in Overland Park, Kansas. They married on June 1, 1984. Mitch and Judy had two children; Jessica Lynn (1985) and Danielle Marie (1988).

After Judy and Mitch divorced in 1996, she met her late husband, Steven Hanson, and they married. They pursued their shared dream of living in the country, rescuing and raising animals. They moved to their little slice of heaven, Lil’ Horse Acres, outside of Paola, Kansas. Judy spent her life surrounded by rescue animals, including horses, and nothing gave her more joy than giving love to all living beings. When life got to be too much, Judy found solace in watching the sunset, while caressing and talking to her beloved horses.

Judy dedicated her career as an advocate for victims while working in the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, and later as a paralegal for several attorneys in private firms. Judy loved true crime, reading, and most of all, Marilyn Monroe. Judy had a special gift of making others feel welcomed and accepted no matter who they were, or where they came from, and was often referred to by those who she took in as “Other Mother.” Judy also created many friendships across the world through the time she spent on social media, touching the lives of many. However, she found her greatest joy in life when she became a grandma to Hunter and Annabelle. Judy and her grandson, Hunter, had a “ritual” of watching the Chiefs’ games together every Sunday, even though they were 1,000 miles apart. Judy and her granddaughter, Annabelle, loved going on weekend adventures, and spending time at Lil’ Horse Acres.

Judy is survived by her daughters, Jessica Hartsfield (Corbin), and Danielle Thompson (William); her sisters, Kathy Bisbee, Teresa Dalcamo-Dresslaer (Mark), and Cheryl Bisbee (Bill); her brother Chuck Bisbee; two grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and her beloved fur-babies. She is preceded in death by her father, Cliff, mother, Stella, her sister and best friend, Sally Jo, her husband, Steven, and all of her fur-babies that crossed the rainbow bridge over the years.

The family suggests memorial contributions to ASPCA, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary – Crematory, 305 N. Pearl Street, Paola, Kansas 66071. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Judy’s tribute wall.