Nettie "Faye" Gremillion Hansen

Private Funeral services for Nettie Faye Gremillion Hansen, 94, were held at 1 PM on Monday, April 13, 2020, with a service of Christian burial at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home and interment which followed at Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery in Opelousas, Louisiana. Monsignor Russell J. Harrington officiated the service.

Faye was born in Long Bridge, Louisiana on December 5, 1925 and was a longtime resident of Opelousas.  She passed on peacefully at her residence on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.  She graduated from Moreauville High School in Moreauville, LA and attended Our Lady of the Lake School of Nursing in Baton Rouge.

While working at her cousin’s restaurant, Herbie K’s in Alexandria, Faye met Nels Hansen, home on leave from World War II U.S. Army service.  Nels proposed shortly after and they were married by her brother, Father Joseph Gremillion, then pastor at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral on January 1, 1945.

An AT&T/Baby Bells’ work transfer brought the Hansen family to Opelousas in 1954.  While raising her children, Faye began substitute teaching at Academy of the Immaculate Conception (now Opelousas Catholic). In 1971, she was AIC’s first “Woman of the Year”, previously “Man of the Year” only, awarded for her tireless volunteer work at the school.  Faye then began work at the Opelousas and Eunice Public Library for 18 years until her retirement.  She continued to deliver books to her friends for the years that followed, when she and her neighbor, Mrs. Pete Janes, walked the streets of Opelousas.  They called themselves the Gold Dust Twins.

Survivors include her children, Jeanie Hansen of Baton Rouge, Nels Hansen and wife Frances of Huntsville, Texas, Eric Hansen and wife Sissy of New Orleans, and Scott Hansen of New Orleans/Opelousas.  Grandchildren Sullie Stephens and husband Mason of Austin, TX and Hannah Hansen of Denton, TX.  One great grandson, Nicholas, of Austin, TX, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Faye was preceded in death by husband, Nels Albert Hansen Jr., parents, Joseph Benjamin and Nettie Emelie Gremillion, and brothers, Valerien Felix (Beryl), William Nelson (Loucille), Monsignor Joseph Benjamin Jr., John Berchman (Lucretia), and Reginald Maurice (Lera) Gremillion.

The family visitation and rosary began at 12 Noon on Monday, April 13, 2020 with continuing service ceremony at Bellevue Memorial Cemetery.

Faye possessed an incredibly generous/giving spirit, and was a loving, devoted, compassionate and tireless mother.  Her joy of life, positive attitude, kindness of heart, open nature, hardy laugh and warm hospitality touched countless friends and strangers who crossed her path.  She had a radiant smile and a twinkle in her eye.

Faye’s spirit will live on and she will be truly missed.  The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Gary Blanchard, Dr. Hunt de Blanc, Angela Zachary, the entire staff of Grace Hospice Palliative Care, all her friends and family, and St. Landry Catholic Church clergy/staff that comforted and prayed for Faye these many years.

A funeral mass and celebration of life will be held at a later date due to current COVID-19 gathering restrictions. In lieu of flowers, the Hansen family suggests memorials may be made in Faye’s name to the Opelousas Catholic School and the St. Landry Catholic Church.

Words of comfort to the family can be expressed at www.lafondardoin.com.