RAPID CITY - Bridget Eileen Lane Hansen, 51, peacefully surrendered her battle and was welcomed home by God Friday, Sept. 26, 2008. Bridget was home at her window in Rapid City surrounded by Robb and their four children. Bridget was born March 10, 1957, in Rapid City, the fourth of seven Lane children. Cancer defeated Bridget's body but it did not define her. Bridget was diagnosed and treated at age 37 for breast cancer. After 10 cancer-free years, her cancer regrouped and the last four years have been shaped by its assault on her body. In turn, Bridget has shaped a large part of this community with her spirit and attitude. She defined herself, first and always, as a mother. Her children, Ryan (Melissa and grandson Henry), Eric (Karin), Caleb and Heidi, reflect this definition. They carry on in Bridget's spirit with Robb in Rapid City. Bridget also mothered a generation of children as a teacher. She graduated from Rapid City Central High School in 1975 and attended the University of Wyoming. Years later, Bridget revealed to Heidi that she was "called" to become a teacher when she transferred to Black Hills State College, graduating December 1978. Bridget taught at Wilson School until she switched to the library in 1986. "Librarian" defined Bridget professionally until cancer forced her to retire in 2004. She touched the future by helping define the next generation's love of books and oral tradition. Bridget met Robb Hansen while in high school and they married Dec. 30, 1978, in Rapid City. She worked part-time for many years because her children were so important to her. Bridget was able to devote more time to her own family, touch thousands of lives during 26 years with the Rapid City Schools and still have time to visit with your kids on the sideline, help you out with babysitting or transport carloads of young athletes. Bridget's life was rich with family and friends. Her husband, children and grandchild will continue to enjoy that richness with Robb's father (Ernie Hansen), Bridget's parents (Tom and Pat Lane), Robb's four siblings, six Lane siblings, five aunts and uncles, 25 nieces and nephews and many cousins. The family will also reap the benefits of fabulous friendships including the Perpetual pals, library ladies, ladies night out, pink sisters, the education community, church, Silver City and many others. Bridget has enriched all of our lives. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Bridget's name at Black Hills Federal Credit Union. Please join the extended Hansen and Lane families in a celebration of God in Bridget's life. We will pray together, tell Bridget stories, laugh together and cry a bit at a Christian Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Rapid City. Then we will put Bridget to rest with a funeral mass and social gathering at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Blessed Sacrament. Her ashes will later rest under a slate marker in the Silver City Cemetery. Bridget and her Great Grandfather will watch over the Black Hills and their beloved Rapid Creek from there.