Patricia “Pat” Ann Hansen, age 85 of Walnut Grove, passed away Monday, April 26, 2021 at Sanford Tracy Medical Center while surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 29, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 at Walnut Grove Funeral Home. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday. Interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Walnut Grove. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Walnut Grove Ambulance or the Legion Auxiliary. Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, guests will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing guidelines. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Patricia “Pat” Ann Hansen was born December 10, 1935 to Emmanuel and Helen (Montgomery) Nelson on a farm near Windom, Minnesota. She was baptized at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Windom. Pat attended Windom Public School, until moving to Walnut Grove in 1946. She graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1953 as valedictorian. Pat continued her education at Mankato Commercial College and later worked as a bookkeeper in Mankato. On March 17, 1956 she married the love of her life John Hansen. In May 1969, Pat began a job at the Post Office in Tracy as a clerk/carrier. She then became Postmaster in Walnut Grove in November 1980, until her retirement in January 2005. Pat served on the Walnut Grove ambulance and was an active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. She was a member of the CCW, taught catechism, and was bookkeeper there for almost 30 years, until the church closed. She was also a bookkeeper and member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years. Pat enjoyed playing cards, making quilts and reading. She loved spending time with her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pat was fortunate to take several trips with her children.
Patricia is survived by her children: Michael of Walnut Grove, David (Heidi) of Revere, Karen (Lee) Boril of Chanhassen, Thomas (Lynn) of Walnut Grove, Steven (Virginia) of Tracy and Dan (Evan) of Minneapolis; son-in-law John Schmidt of Walnut Grove; grandchildren: Amanda (Tim) Nichols, Tyler (Wendy) Hansen, Sarah (Dillon) Renneke, Christopher Zwach, Justin (Pilar) Boril, Nicole (Jason) Knopik, Paige (Brad) Pederson and Morgan Hansen; great grandchildren: William & Samantha Nichols, Kevin & Earl Hansen, Brenna Pfarr, Camryn Renneke, Isabelle, Benjamin & Gabriella Knopik, and Kyla Pederson; sisters: Sandy Anderson of Revere and Mary (Gerry) Leonard of Slayton; brother-in-law Roy Hansen of Springfield; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband John, daughter Julie Schmidt, sister Delores (Bud) Sell, brother-in-law Kenny “Butch” Anderson, and sister-in-law Lois Hansen.