Mary Hansen
July 19, 1919 — March 7, 2017
Mary Louise Hansen was born the daughter of Walter and Clara (Strittmatter) Martin, at home south of Walnut, Lincoln Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, on July 19, 1919. She attended country school in Monroe Township, Shelby County, Iowa, and graduated with the class of 1937 at Walnut High School in Walnut. She continued her education and received her Normal Training in Denison, Iowa. Mary went on to teach country school at “Gross Corner” District #8 until spring of 1942.
On January 22, 1942, Mary was united in marriage to Harold E. Hansen, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walnut. Because teachers could not be married, she had to have board approval to finish out the school year. Mary and Harold farmed until 1957 when they purchased an acreage east of Walnut and Harold began doing carpentry work. They raised four children: Judith, Jerry, Ronald and Rosemary.
Mary was a very active in the Walnut Community all her life. She was very involved as a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Walnut AMVETS Auxiliary, Walnut Garden Club, Community Club, and a Charter Member of Peace Haven. In her spare time, she always had a large garden with flowers and vegetables she canned or froze. She decorated wedding and birthday cakes from 1957 to 1980. Her first cake was for her parents 40th Wedding Anniversary. Mary also caned chairs and made quilts that were donated to the VA Hospital.
Mary died surrounded by family on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, having attained ninety-seven years, seven months, and sixteen days. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold on April 15, 2009; brother Carl Martin; granddaughter Kimberly Steinkamp; and sister-in-laws Teresa Martin and Mildred Martin.
She is survived by her children Judith and her husband Delbert Brehmer of Council Bluffs; Jerry Hansen of Walnut; Ronald Hansen and his wife Nancy of Walnut; Rosemary and her husband Bill Steinkamp of Bellingham, Washington; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; brother Gerald Martin of Exira, Iowa; and many relatives and friends.
On January 22, 1942, Mary was united in marriage to Harold E. Hansen, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walnut. Because teachers could not be married, she had to have board approval to finish out the school year. Mary and Harold farmed until 1957 when they purchased an acreage east of Walnut and Harold began doing carpentry work. They raised four children: Judith, Jerry, Ronald and Rosemary.
Mary was a very active in the Walnut Community all her life. She was very involved as a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Walnut AMVETS Auxiliary, Walnut Garden Club, Community Club, and a Charter Member of Peace Haven. In her spare time, she always had a large garden with flowers and vegetables she canned or froze. She decorated wedding and birthday cakes from 1957 to 1980. Her first cake was for her parents 40th Wedding Anniversary. Mary also caned chairs and made quilts that were donated to the VA Hospital.
Mary died surrounded by family on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, having attained ninety-seven years, seven months, and sixteen days. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold on April 15, 2009; brother Carl Martin; granddaughter Kimberly Steinkamp; and sister-in-laws Teresa Martin and Mildred Martin.
She is survived by her children Judith and her husband Delbert Brehmer of Council Bluffs; Jerry Hansen of Walnut; Ronald Hansen and his wife Nancy of Walnut; Rosemary and her husband Bill Steinkamp of Bellingham, Washington; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; brother Gerald Martin of Exira, Iowa; and many relatives and friends.
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