87-Year-Old Newaygo Resident Named Michigan Senior Citizen of the Year

A Newaygo resident, who has dedicated herself to helping those with mental health issues and the elderly to live with dignity, has been named Michigan Senior Citizen of the Year.

Consumers Energy, a sponsor of the event, says Adele Hansen, 87, accepted the award on the Michigan Capitol lawn during Older Michiganians Day celebrations on Wednesday. The award from the Area Agencies on Aging and Network Partners includes a Certificate of Proclamation from Gov. Rick Snyder and a $1,000 check from Consumers Energy.

For more than 20 years, Hansen has served on the board of directors of the Newaygo County Community Mental Health Authority. She has assisted the aging network many years as a foster grandparent in Newaygo, as an advisory board member of the Newaygo County Commission on Aging and as an advisory council member of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan.

The mother raised nine children and is the caregiver to her husband of 50 years. She also actively helps neighbors in need on an informal basis, providing transportation to medical appointments and shopping, preparing soup for neighbors and advising those in need of available community resources.

“What a humbling honor it is to offer a heartfelt thank you and help give something back to a compassionate individual who has given so much of herself to her community,” said Whitney Skeans, Consumers Energy’s customer assistance manager, who presented the check on behalf of Consumers Energy.