Jean Elizabeth Kullberg, daughter of Harry and Hilma (Martinsson) Kullberg was born November 8, 1933, in Providence Rhode Island. She passed away January 26, 2024, in Gardnerville Nevada at age 90.
Jean grew up in Massachusetts, attended college at Kent State University in Ohio, and then moved to southern California when she became a stewardess. She later worked as a receptionist in the accounting and real estate investment industries.
Jean met her husband Hal Hansen in Hawaii, they married in November 1959 and made their home in Redondo Beach California until they settled in Goleta, (Santa Barbara County) in 1968. She lived in Goleta for 44 years, raising her children as a single parent when her husband, a professional pilot, died in 1970. She moved to Minden Nevada in 2012 to live near her daughter and family.
Jean loved to travel the world, oil paint, bike ride, quilt, play Rummikub with friends, and Sunday afternoon family lunch with Scrabble. She also enjoyed helping adult women learn independent living skills and English as well as hosting Sister City (to Goleta) women from around the world. In the Minden area she appreciated Thursday lunch and games at the Community and Senior Center and Saturday adventures to local activities, such as historical lectures and Chautauquas, community theatre, festivals, and local fundraising activities.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Hilma Kullberg, husband Harold Hansen, siblings Richard Kullberg (Inez), Beatrice Schappert (Fred), Evelyn Ingram (Don), and Kenneth Kullberg (Dorothy).
She is survived by her children Karen Chessell (Bill) of Minden Nevada, Mark Hansen (Alice) of Long Beach California, grandchildren Allan Chessell (Amanda) of Arizona, Emily Chessell of Arizona, Collin Chessell of Minnesota, Julia Hansen Grover (James) of Nebraska, great grandchildren Avery Chessell and Amelia Dee Grover (who was born the morning Jean passed), and her adorable Rag Doll feline companion, Pippa.
We will be having a celebration of life with her Nevada friends Saturday April 20, 2024, 2:00 P.M. at the Chateau in Gardnerville, 1565 Virginia Ranch Road, Gardnerville, Nevada 89410.
At a future date, family and friends will gather in Goleta where she will be buried with her husband. More information will be available at a later date. Contact Karen at khchessell@gmail.com for information.
If you’d like to make a donation in her honor, we suggest:
Honor Flight Nevada, P O Box 21123, Reno Nevada 89515, Phone: (775) 323-9955 or
Santa Barbara County Animal Services (805) 681-5285 - https://licensepet.com/wl3/don/snbrwd/436