Obituary of Jerry and Helen Hans

 

Major Jerry W. Hans (1940 – 2021) and Helen Patricia Hans (1944-2021)

 

Born in Lewisburg and raised in Milton, PA, Jerry Wayne Hans was the oldest child of Helen (Bobb) and Alfred Hans. A standout wrestler at Milton High School, Jerry took his talents to Pennsylvania State University where he wrestled, was active in ROTC, and majored in industrial engineering. After graduation, Jerry joined the United States Air Force commissioned as a Lieutenant.

 

Helen Patricia Voninski was born in Mobile, AL, the oldest of six children to Helen (Wilson) and Peter Voninski. Helen’s caretaking and creativity emerged early as she supported her family in their many moves as part of her dad’s career in the US Air Force. She attended Johnson High School in Japan which inspired a love of learning and travel. She was just beginning her college education when she met Lt. Jerry Hans at McGuire Air Force Base. After a year and a half of dating, they were married.

 

In their married life, they lived in many places, including Atlanta (where Helen completed her college education at Georgia State and Jerry got a master’s degree at Georgia Tech), Germany, Boston, MA, Washington DC, and Germany (again). While in Europe, Helen furthered her education as a culinary student at the famed Le Cordon Bleu and developed into a fantastic gourmet cook. Along the way they had a child whom they loved fully and unconditionally. The family ended their military-related travel in Rome, NY where Jerry retired from service after 21 years. Their time in the Air Force afforded them many travels and dear friends with whom they stayed close for decades.

 

After retirement, they relocated to Fayetteville, NY, near Helen’s parents and extended family, and also within driving distance of Milton. Jerry entered a second career working for Niagara Mohawk (then National Grid) in Syracuse, where he worked for almost 20 years. Helen worked raising their child, volunteering in schools and serving the community, including as President of the Syracuse PFLAG chapter. She was also a very active ski mom and wife, traveling all over the United States and Europe supporting family ski adventures.

 

In Fayetteville, Jerry and Helen participated in wine tasting and bridge and hosted many dinners as Helen prepared fabulous multi-course meals for friends and loved ones. When Jerry retired from National Grid, he and Helen traveled often visiting family and loved ones across the country. Trips to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival with family, to Isla Mujeres with friends, as well as European river cruises, Johnson High School reunions, and many other destinations ensured they thoroughly enjoyed retirement.

 

Helen received an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis and worked hard not to let the illness deprive her of adventures and new memories, but her Alzheimer’s inevitably progressed requiring Jerry to turn his full attention to being her primary caregiver. Their travels slowed but they still enjoyed time with friends and family. As Helen’s illness progressed and Jerry had to navigate a Parkinson’s diagnosis, their living situation shifted but his devotion to her wellbeing and their companionship persisted. In the summer of 2019, Jerry and Helen moved to Minneapolis to be closer to their only child, daughter-in-law, and grandchild.

 

Jerry Hans passed away in Minneapolis, MN, in May, following a brief illness. He was eighty years old. He was preceded in death by his father and mother. Helen Hans passed away in Minneapolis in June, due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She died just a month after her beloved husband of fifty-six years. She was seventy-five years old. She was also preceded in death by her father, mother, and younger brother, Eric Voninski.

 

They are survived by their only child, T. Aaron Hans, daughter-in-law, Tania D. Mitchell, and grandchild, Ellison Pier Hans.  They also leave behind Jerry’s siblings: Tom Hans (Avis) of Milton, PA; Jane Watson (Bruce) of Cumming, GA; and Helen Kirschner (Larry) of Gwynedd Valley, PA; and Helen’s siblings: Cynthia Adams (Rick) of Boiling Springs, PA; Peter Voninski (Becky) of Brea, CA; Lisa Donnelly (Matt) of New Smyrna Beach, FL; and Katherine Reynolds (Sean) of Memphis, TN. Jerry and Helen also leave behind many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who were chosen family.

 

On August 14th, a celebration of life and love will honor Helen and Jerry Hans together in Milton, PA. If interested and able to attend, we are asking folks to RSVP for details, https://tinyurl.com/JWHPHmemorial. In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made to Penn State University for a scholarship in the family’s honor. Checks can be sent to Donor and Member Services, 2583 Gateway Drive, Suite 130, State College, PA 16801 or online via https://raise.psu.edu, using the code MXALX (In Memory of Maj Jerry Hans).