Ione Evangeline

The Norwegian Lutheran pastor's daughter, named Ione Evangeline after her grandmothers' (Inga and Ella) initials, was blessed with a liberal father who was a leader in the Lutheran church of the upper Middle West.
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Aaron became the first of four children of mixed race adopted by Ione and Mark Hanson over the next six years.
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With a houseful of young children and a husband who shared equally in the domestic chores, Ione realized, "I'd had jobs but not a profession."In 1990 she went to work as a clinical social worker at Children's Hospitals in Minneapolis and St. Paul.There she remained until 2002 and eventually rose to the position of director of social work. She negotiated every step up the career ladder with one condition: she would work Monday through Thursday so that she could spend more time with her family.Her husband took every Monday off to be "house husband," and her mother helped out.
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In 2002, Ione and Mark Hanson's balancing acts of career and domestic life came to an end when he was elected presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).An enormous career leap for him spelled great loss for her-the loss of both professional and family life, because it required a move to Chicago, where the ELCA is located. Today, five of the six Hanson children live in a variety of independent living settings back in Minneapolis, and only the youngest, Elizabeth, lives with Mom and Dad."It gets lonely for both of us," admits Ione."Elizabeth misses her Dad, who is often on the road.The other kids miss him, too." She says she has experienced a certain loss of identity, particularly professionally, but wants to give herself two years to adjust to her new environment before making any decisions about resuming her career.And "I don't want to spend time away from Mark in this decade of our lives." Of her husband's position as presiding bishop and now his added responsibility as LWF president, Ione says, "I've been with clergy my whole life, and I believe in the Call."She knows her husband's gifts and affirms his summons to leadership in the church.But she also admits that, as the wife of the LWF president, it would be easy to become "just a comma." Although she readily acknowledges that this has been a difficult transition, she says, "I won't get stuck."She looks forward to traveling with her husband as much as possible."This is a marvelous opportunity to become a global citizen, to meet people where they are."She is eager to explore her own interests in their travels: issues concerning children and violence in families, which are present in every country. Like her husband, Ione promises to be a listener first.That is perhaps easier for her, the self-described introvert who has had to learn some extroverted behaviors, than it is for her husband, who is much more outgoing.She says that he has taught her to be more expressive and she has taught him to be a better listener. The eyes of this gracious, articulate and hugely honest woman light up when she talks about life immediately post-Assembly."The whole family's going to be together.We're going to the Great Wall (a favorite Chinese restaurant in Minneapolis), where they know us so well, they know when to bring out the birthday cakes."She smiles as she anticipates the central event in the Hanson family life: gathering around the table for a meal.

The Norwegian Lutheran pastor's daughter, named Ione Evangeline after her grandmothers' (Inga and Ella) initials, was blessed with a liberal father who was a leader in the Lutheran church of the upper Middle West.
...
Aaron became the first of four children of mixed race adopted by Ione and Mark Hanson over the next six years.
...
With a houseful of young children and a husband who shared equally in the domestic chores, Ione realized, "I'd had jobs but not a profession."In 1990 she went to work as a clinical social worker at Children's Hospitals in Minneapolis and St. Paul.There she remained until 2002 and eventually rose to the position of director of social work.

She negotiated every step up the career ladder with one condition: she would work Monday through Thursday so that she could spend more time with her family.Her husband took every Monday off to be "house husband," and her mother helped out.
...
In 2002, Ione and Mark Hanson's balancing acts of career and domestic life came to an end when he was elected presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).An enormous career leap for him spelled great loss for her -- the loss of both professional and family life, because it required a move to Chicago, where the ELCA is located.

Today, five of the six Hanson children live in a variety of independent living settings back in Minneapolis, and only the youngest, Elizabeth, lives with Mom and Dad."It gets lonely for both of us," admits Ione.