Kathleen Ann Hanson (Koenen)

Kathleen Ann (Koenen) Hanson

August 19, 1945 – December 30, 2024

Kathleen “Kathy” Ann Hanson, age 79, died peacefully on Monday, December 30, in her home. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, January 11th at 11:30am, at Brenny Funeral Home, Baxter, Minnesota. (online link for service/memorial)

Kathy, affectionately known as “Lena” to her friends, was born on August 19, 1945, to George “Bill” and Viola (Goldhorn) Koenen. It was a vivid time period in history. Harry S. Truman was president and signed the United Nations Charter and Japan surrenders to the allies ending WWII. Kathy grew up on a farm in Montevideo, and attended a small country school until 6th grade. Kathy learned at a young age how to work hard and be thankful for what she had. After Montevideo, they moved for a short time to a small family farm in Verndale, MN. In 1958, Kathy’s family moved to Clara City, Minnesota where she graduated high school in 1963. While in school, she was active in band, choir, cheerleading, and became the Homecoming Queen and the Clara City Soybean Days Princess. Kathy loved music. Aside from participating in school music programs, she was a woman of strong faith and sang solos at church and performed at a few weddings.

Kathy met her future husband, Ron Hanson, while roller skating in Montevideo, MN. They married in a small ceremony on September 24, 1966. They raised three children, Billie Jo (Hanson) Jaeche, Ron Jr. and Kelle Hanson. Their life started out in different cities in the Minnesota Metropolitan area. In early 1970, they moved to Glenwood, MN. Kathy worked as the secretary to the athletic director and was also the school nurse at the Glenwood High School. Later on, she became a Certified Nursing Assistant at Glenwood nursing home. While in Glenwood, Kathy was active with many community groups. She was a member of the Minnesota Jaycees Glenwood Chapter, taught Sunday school, and was in the Glenwood Lutheran Church Choir. In 1983, they moved to Bismarck, ND due to Ron Sr. job working for the railroad. There she worked as an assistant to the Gateway Mall manager, a job she loved! They moved to Harvey, ND in 1987. Kathy worked at the front desk as a receptionist at St. Aloisius Medical Center and then as a para at Harvey High School. No matter where she was, Kathy was active in the community. While in Harvey, she was a member of the women’s golf league and the Eagles Club.

Kathy and Ron Sr. enjoyed traveling and took a trip over the winter in the early 2000s to the Ozarks in Missouri where they spent time enjoying their friends, the weather and the amazing music that filled the area - blue grass, gospel and the jubilees.

Kathy and Ron Sr. enjoyed hosting family gatherings, holidays, special occasions and spending time with their loved ones at their home. They also spent many days at their lake place in Parshall, ND on Lake Sakakawea. Family and friends would come to enjoy fishing, trying to catch the infamous lake delicacy, the walleye. Kathy was truly remarkable and would back the boat into the lake for her husband. She also knew how to clean fish, and could clean fish as fast, or faster than most of the gents around her.

In the fall, Kathy always hosted during hunting season and would cook and bake to ensure the guys’ bellies were full. She would make her special “homemade” buns and dozens upon dozens of her coveted peanut butter cookies that seemed to be gone in a flash. She would enjoy listening to the men revel and recount the stories of their current and past hunting excursions.

While pouring love into her family brought her the greatest joy, Kathy also had a passion for brightening others’ lives and being a true friend. Many a friend sat at her kitchen table with a cup a coffee and she would lend a listening ear and make them feel cherished. She loved to bake and was known for making rhubarb cream pies and her melt-in-your-mouth fudge, a favorite treat amongst her family, friends and neighbors. When Thanksgiving came around, Kathy was always in charge of making her homemade whip cream (don’t you dare try to serve Cool Whip while she was there) and her scrumptious stuffing.

Kathy also loved playing cards with friends and family members. She played Buck Euchre, Hand and Foot, Pinochle, 500, Rummy and other card games. The room was always filled with happiness, laughter, and many goodies to indulge in during these games. At every game or gathering there was always playful banter amongst all. She truly cherished time spent playing with her loved ones. Kathy also had a love for sports! She played softball for over forty years, water skied until her 60th birthday, participated in bowling leagues, enjoyed watching professional and college sports (her favorites were the Wild, Twins and UND), playing golf, fishing and ice fishing, and also enjoyed watching her family members and their children participate in sports. You knew where she was sitting in the stands as she was a vocal spectator that cheered on her grandkids.

Throughout her life, Kathy had always been the person that has made others feel special and cared for. Her journey through life was marked by her steadfast kindness, selflessness, compassion and deep love for her family, friends and community. Her friends at Arbor Glen wrote “There are not enough adjectives to describe Kathy. Some of them are: kind, considerate, honest, upfront, sweet, special, friendly, outgoing and above all VERY special. She was the best neighbor ever and a person who has very special talents as a true leader at Arbor Glen.” She will truly be missed by all who know her.

Kathy is survived by her children, Billie Jo (Eric) Jaeche, Ron (Nancy) Hanson, Kelle Hanson; grandchildren, Grant (Leah) Jaeche, Matthew (Mya) Hanson, Hayley (Tyler) Hillman, Heather (Joe) Harris, Taylor Faul, Braedan (Payton) Hanson; great grandchildren, William, Henry, Ben and Emma Jaeche, Lily and Lilah Hillman, Jaxton, Bowen and Oaklyn Hanson, Baylor and Brewer Hanson; brothers, DuWayne (LaVonne) Koenen, Dean (Brenda) Koenen, Dennis (Ruth) Koenen, brother-in-law and sister-in-laws, Robert (Sylvia) Hanson, Millie Koenen; many nieces and nephews.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Hanson, Sr.; her father and mother, Bill and Viola Koenen; brother, Donald Koenen; and nephew, Douglas Koenen.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday January 11, 2025 at 11:30am at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN with Pastor Sarah Marshall officiating. 

In lieu of gifts, donations can be made to the Richard M Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge in Minneapolis, MN at cancer.org.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.