1926
Iola
2022
Iola Hankins
June 25, 1926 — May 6, 2022
Iola Louise Hankins passed peacefully from this life Friday, May 6, 2022 surrounded by family at Evenings Porch Assisted Living. Louise was born at the home of her great-grandparents home in Breen, Colorado to Otis “Shorty” G. and Pearl (McClendon) Garner June 25, 1926.
As a child growing up, Louise lived in Breen, Durango and Ignacio where she settled for the entirety of her adult life. She graduated from Durango High School May 31, 1945. Upon graduation, Louise attended Fort Lewis College and Adam States College to obtain an Emergency Teaching Certificate. Louise taught school in one room school houses located at Breen and Allison Colorado. While teaching in Allison, Colorado, she met Rex Hankins at the Harvest Supper gathering at the Allison Grange. They were married December 24, 1948. Rex and Louise purchased the Dittmar place in Ignacio, Colorado which was their home together for fifty years of marriage. Rex passed August 7, 1998 a few months short of their 50th anniversary.
Louise was an outstanding master gardener. She grew enough produce in a small garden to share with local neighbors and community members. Louise always said “you have to talk to the plants and they will produce bountiful vegetables for canning and preserving food for the winter”. The farm homeplace was her life’s legacy and so cherished it. She so loved caring for orphan calves, lambs and laying hens. Said she was caring for God’s creatures.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents; husband Rex; sister Bettie Young; and brother Otis Garner. She is survived by brother Larry (Debbie) Garner; daughter Donna Groussman; grandchildren Jennifer and Michael Groussman; great-grandchildren Jevonah Groussman Sparks and Micah Groussman Jackson; nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at Hood Mortuary Chapel, 1261 E. 3rd Avenue, Durango, Colorado, Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 10 am. Graveside service at Crestview Cemetery. For persons, unable to attend the service in person may livestream both services via website at hoodmortuary.com.
As a child growing up, Louise lived in Breen, Durango and Ignacio where she settled for the entirety of her adult life. She graduated from Durango High School May 31, 1945. Upon graduation, Louise attended Fort Lewis College and Adam States College to obtain an Emergency Teaching Certificate. Louise taught school in one room school houses located at Breen and Allison Colorado. While teaching in Allison, Colorado, she met Rex Hankins at the Harvest Supper gathering at the Allison Grange. They were married December 24, 1948. Rex and Louise purchased the Dittmar place in Ignacio, Colorado which was their home together for fifty years of marriage. Rex passed August 7, 1998 a few months short of their 50th anniversary.
Louise was an outstanding master gardener. She grew enough produce in a small garden to share with local neighbors and community members. Louise always said “you have to talk to the plants and they will produce bountiful vegetables for canning and preserving food for the winter”. The farm homeplace was her life’s legacy and so cherished it. She so loved caring for orphan calves, lambs and laying hens. Said she was caring for God’s creatures.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents; husband Rex; sister Bettie Young; and brother Otis Garner. She is survived by brother Larry (Debbie) Garner; daughter Donna Groussman; grandchildren Jennifer and Michael Groussman; great-grandchildren Jevonah Groussman Sparks and Micah Groussman Jackson; nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at Hood Mortuary Chapel, 1261 E. 3rd Avenue, Durango, Colorado, Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 10 am. Graveside service at Crestview Cemetery. For persons, unable to attend the service in person may livestream both services via website at hoodmortuary.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Iola Hankins, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service Information
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Starts at 10:00 am (Mountain time)
Hood Mortuary Chapel
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