Esther Marie Hansen, 53, of Arpelar, passed away Saturday, January 14, at McAlester Regional Health Center.  The family will welcome friends for visitation on Wednesday, January 18th at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be Thursday, January 19th at 1:00 p.m. at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Memorial Park in McAlester.

Esther Marie Hansen was born on February 14, 1969 in McAlester to Darrell Ralph Cozad and Easter (Effinger) Cozad-Drumheller.  She grew up in the Indianola area and graduated from Indianola High School, after 13 years of perfect attendance, as Valedictorian of her class.  As an adult, she lived in Las Vegas, where she attended college and received a Bachelor's Degree.  She worked as a claims adjuster for several insurance companies, including State Farm, Farmers, and American Farmers, for many years, starting in Las Vegas, then moving to Oklahoma City and then Tulsa, before moving back to the McAlester area in 2003.  She was married to James "Jay" L. Hansen, II and she was also an ordained minister.  She was very involved in veteran's organizations.  She was the President of the Hartshorne chapter of the VFW Auxiliary; Commander of the McAlester Chapter 20 of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary; past state commander for the DAVA; and Jr. Vice-President of the Military Order of the Cooties #2.

Esther is survived by a foster-son, Aaryn Turman, (the son of her heart); a step-son, Jeremy Hansen and wife Jenna; 4 sisters, Nancy Denny and husband Robert, LaQuetta McCarter and husband Gerry, Tammy Cato and husband Leon, and Iva Spurlock and husband Keith; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James "Jay" Hansen, II; mother, Easter Drumheller; father, Darrell Cozad; step-father, Warren Drumheller; grandparents, A. R. Cozad, Iva Cozad, Nancy Effinger and Will Effinger.