Mary E. Hansen

Mary E. Hansen, 71, Browns Valley, MN, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at the Browns Valley Health Center.

Funeral services will be Sunday, September 8, at 4:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley with Rev. Abigail Ozanne officiating. Music will be provided by organist Ginny Westbrock and vocalists Sue Sykora and Stacey Borgheiinck.

Burial will be in the Valley View Cemetery, Browns Valley.  Honorary urn bearers will be Gary Hanson, Richard Hanson, Carol Carney, and Ken Westbrock.  Active urn bearers will be her nephews, Jacob, Kevin, Joshua and Adam Roark and Kelly, Rick, and Nick Hansen.

Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the church.

Mary Esther was born August 10, 1948, to Ernest Edgar and Esther Elizabeth (Hanson) Hansen in Graceville, MN.  She was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley.  She attended school in Browns Valley, graduating from high school in 1966.  Mary then earned her bachelor's degree in Speech and English from the University of Minnesota Morris.  Later in life, she earned a BA in Accounting.

After finishing school, Mary worked in the Twin Cities as a bookkeeper/clerk/secretary for the United Way, Minnesota Bar Association, and Cargill.  In 1994, she moved back to Browns Valley and was self-employed as a tax preparer and also worked at Cenex, Maynard's, the city of Browns Valley and Hansen Pole Buildings.

Mary was a member of the United Methodist Presbyterian Church and served in the United Methodist Presbyterian women's group.  She was also active in the Valley View Cemetery Association,  the Little People of America, the Progress Club, the Historical Society and the Browns Valley Alumni Association.  Mary was a people person.  She loved public speaking and making posters for the organizations she belonged to.  She also loved to read, especially mystery novels.

Survivors include a brother, Mark (Ann) Hansen, and sister, Judy (Hansen) and Mike Momb, half sister-in-law, Lois Hansen, and a lifelong friend, Edith Foren; all of Browns Valley.  She is also survived by seven nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Esther, half-brothers Robert and Jack Hansen, and half-sister Jean Christensen.