Hanna Van Mark

June 22, 1934 – Jan. 23, 2018

Posted

TORRINGTON – Funeral services for Hanna Van Mark, 83, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, at Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Dick Young officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Hanna passed away Jan. 23, 2018, in her home surrounded by her family. Memorials may be made to Valley Christian School. Visitation will be Monday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements are by the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com. 

Hanna was born June 22, 1934, the daughter of Fred and Pauline Benzel at home near Table Mountain. She was the eighth of 11 children. She attended school at Huntley and graduated in 1952. She attended the University of Wyoming and later that year worked in Minneapolis, Minn. She returned to Torrington and attended Goshen County Community College (now known as Eastern Wyoming College). It was there she met the love of her life, Jack B. Van Mark of Torrington. The couple married on Sept. 4, 1955. They returned to the University of Wyoming and Jack graduated with his degree in Geology in 1958. Hanna discontinued her formal education to care for their children. Together they had four daughters; Lois Van Mark, Ruth Van Mark, Debbie (Anthony) Wendtland and Jackie Van Mark.

Hanna was active throughout her life in her church, Republican Women, Extension Club and various Bible studies and also served as a 4-H leader and board member at Valley Christian School. She was known for her hospitality and sense of humor. For much of her life, she and Jack lived outside of the Washington, D.C., area while also maintaining a home in Torrington. Despite almost 30 years on the east coast she was always happy to come “home” to the farm in Goshen County. Jack and Hanna returned to their Torrington farm following Jack’s retirement from government service in 1990.

Hanna is survived by her husband, Jack, her four daughters, two grandsons, Kit Wendtland and Taylor Wendtland, a brother Daniel Benzel and 23 nieces and nephews who she loved very much.