Toby Lynn Hanson died Thursday after an extended battle with cancer.

She was born Aug. 23, 1939, to Paul Sauers and Donna Sauers-Besko; both are deceased.

Her love for the Lord came in a senior high school trip to New York in 1957. She went to the Billy Graham Madison Square Garden Crusade and committed her life to Christ. A dear classmate friend, Joan Richardson Hunt, encouraged her to see Billy Graham instead of going to a nightclub. This event would change her life forever.

She married Bill Hanson on March 15, 1958; they lived in Lake Odessa and later moved to Clarksville. They attended the Clarksville Bible Church and received discipleship and guidance from Pastor Don and Betty Jo Mathis.

Bill’s job brought them to Wayland in 1967. Here they attended and served in Calvary Church of Wayland. Toby worked at Town and Country and Sandy Creek Nursing Home where she and Bill encouraged and ministered to the elderly.

Her great joys in life were her family, studying her Bible and memorizing scripture, baking (especially her cookies), writing notes of encouragement, and all things domestic. She made each person in her life feel important and loved.

She is survived by her husband; four children Kelli (Kevin) Matteson, Holly (Michael) Trubiroha, Michael (Candi) Hanson and Heidi Hanson-Maier. She is also survived by siblings Monte Sauers, Dennis (Barbara) Sauers, Sonja (Mark) Latz, and Dirk (Kay) Besko. She had 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren (one deceased), and two great-great-grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to join in celebration of Toby’s life at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 10, at Calvary Church of Wayland, 304 S. Main St. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan, MI at www.wingsofhopehospice.com or Calvary Church of Wayland at www.ccwayland.org.