Going to His Eternal Home

On the evening of November 13, around 8:30 Allan went to bed for the night in the hospice bed that had just been placed in Allan and Eunice’s living room at CRC two days earlier. A little later, Eunice curled up on the adjacent couch with pillow and blanket, staying nearby her husband in case he needed her during the night. November 13th had been a particularly lovely day. After a rainy wind storm had swept through the Cascade foothills for several days, the sun came out that morning, and the air was fresh and clean. As Allan lay in his hospital bed during the day, he asked for the front door to be left open part of the time.

Allan had learned just a few days earlier that the bone cancer had spread to his lungs, and he was not expected to live long. While such news was initially shocking to Allan and the family, family members noticed a peace come over him a few days later, and it became apparent that he was ready to go. During the last two days, he was able to pray a blessing over his children and his grandchildren as well, including some of the out-of-state grandchildren who did not get back to Oregon in time to see him. They were all included in his last special blessing prayers.

Just around midnight on the 13th, Allan woke up and told Eunice he wanted to get some fresh air and asked her to help him. Together, they walked over to the front door, while Allan leaned on his wife’s arm. Eunice opened the door, and for about a minute the two stood side by side. And then suddenly without notice, Allan slumped into Eunice’s arms. She laid him down on the floor and quickly phoned Tim and Julie (who live on the grounds). At that point, she wasn’t sure whether he had just fainted or was gone. When the kids arrived, the three of them determined together that Allan had indeed gone home to be with the Lord.

Phone calls were made to Allan and Eunice’s two daughters, Marilyn and Ellen, who immediately came to the center with Allan's son-in-law, Terry. The family was able to spend two hours of precious and tearful time together before the funeral home arrived. While it seems very amazing that just like that he is suddenly gone, sooner than had been hoped for, there is a real blessing in that he did not suffer or go through any kind of pain. The Lord had His timing, and it was the perfect time. Be that as it may, it is hard to let go of a husband, a father, a father-in-law, and a grandfather like Allan Hansen. While we know with full confidence that he is in his wonderful eternal home now, he will always be missed. And the imprint of his life will remain in our hearts till the end of our own lives when we are once again reunited.

Note: The date and time for Allan’s memorial service will be announced sometime in the next couple days on this blog. Also a video of Allan is being put together. If you have photos or video clips of Allan with your family, please email copies to Carina Wood (CRC staff member) at carina.wood@gmail.com or contact CRC as soon as possible.