Zela "Zeke" Mae Hanson

Zela Mae Hanson (“Zeke”) passed away on April 6, 2026, in Tulsa, OK, at the age of 94. The youngest of three girls, Zeke was born on September 15, 1931, in Tishomingo, Oklahoma to Michael and Birdie Derrick. She spent her childhood years in Wapanucka, Durant, Stillwater, Wilburton, and Ada, where she graduated from Ada High School. In the fall of 1949, she met Roy Hanson and they married on June 17, 1950. Together they raised four daughters and enjoyed family vacations, dancing, attending OSU basketball and St. Louis Cardinals baseball events, playing bridge with friends, and were active members of First Methodist Church of Ada. Zeke worked as a secretary in several Ada law offices. After completing a bachelor’s degree in accounting, she worked as a CPA for three public firms in Ada. Later, she taught accounting courses at ECU—a job she liked best of all. She was always delighted when a child or grandchild chose to add an accounting course to their school schedule. After she and Roy moved to Prague, OK in 1985, Zeke continued to prepare tax returns for a few clients, enjoyed hosting annual family 4th of July gatherings, helped bake kolaches for the Prague Kolache festival, and savored daily walks around their wooded acreage. Zeke loved welcoming friends and family into her home. She was a wonderful cook and always had something sweet on hand to offer guests. She was also a talented seamstress—often making clothing for herself and her daughters—including Easter, wedding, bridesmaid, and flower girl dresses. Through the years she enjoyed quilting, reading, antiquing, collecting postage stamps and watching college sports and major tennis tournaments. In 2003 Zeke and Roy relocated to Tulsa where they would spend retirement years enjoying travel (including a trip to the Holy Land), church activities at Boston Avenue Methodist, social events, and time with family. Widowed in 2012, Zela later moved to Inverness where she played bridge, gathered with her ‘Wednesday-morning coffee’ group, hosted family Christmas gatherings and attended Handel’s Messiah concert each December. In 2016, fellow Inverness resident Bill Smith struck up a conversation with Zeke while she was walking on treadmill in the fitness room. They soon learned they had been born on the same day! For the next several years, the two of them enjoyed dining together, books and devotional readings, competitive games of Gin Rummy, watching sporting events, and other adventures. Zeke was well-loved, and she loved well. Anyone who knew her would have seen that she valued hospitality and table fellowship. Somehow, she always seemed to be the last one to take a seat—always making sure others were served first. Her smile, generosity, servant’s heart, and love of family and friends will leave a lasting impression on many lives. Zeke was preceded in death by her husband Roy Hanson, daughter Teri Bultemeier, parents Michael and Birdie Derrick, sisters Inez Cox and Margorie Harnesberger, and dear friend Bill Smith. She is survived by daughters Linda Roberts, Jill Jarman and Jennifer Bock, and, sons-in-law Steve Bultemeier, Randy Jarman, and Kelly Bock, grandchildren Zach Roberts, his wife Denise and their children Evyn, Kylie, and Weston, Derrick Roberts, his wife Jessica and their sons Jameson and Jaxon, Wes Roberts, his wife Michelle and their daughters Ruby and Lively, Keith Bultemeier, his wife Britni and their daughters Aspen and Reagan, Kyle Jarman, his wife Kim and their sons Wyatt and Desmond, Blake Jarman, his wife Alyssa and their sons Will and Theo, Kenzie Adair and her husband Raphe, Michael Costa, Joshua Costa, Mandy Chen and her husband Cris, Becca Claggett, her husband Layne and their son Anthony, Nathan Costa and Ayries Lewis and their son Alex, many nieces and nephews and close friends she’s made through the years. Two more great grandchildren are due later this year! A memorial service will be held at Covenant Living at Inverness, 3800 West 71st Street, Tulsa Oklahoma on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Covenant Living at Inverness Benevolent Fund: 3800 W. 71st Street, Tulsa, OK 74132 East Central University Foundation: 300 S. Francis Avenue, Ada, OK 74820

Zela "Zeke" Mae Hanson

September 15, 1931 - April 6, 2026