Shirley Anne Hansen

Graveside services for Shirley Hansen, age 84, of Minneapolis, formerly of Milaca and Onamia, will be held on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 10:30 AM at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. A funeral service will be held at St. Peders in South Minneapolis on Friday, December 16th at 3 pm. Please direct memorials to North House Folk School, P.O. Box 759 Grand Marais, MN. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home of Milaca. Shirley Anne Hansen who spent a lifetime warming people with beautifully knitted sweaters, hats, and mittens; passed away on December 12 at age 84 in Glenwood, Minnesota. Despite her small stature, Shirley had a heart that was bigger than most. Shirley loved her friends from St. Olaf, found a second family in her friends from Becketwood, and spun endless memories and miles of yarn with "The Knitters." Shirley was born in 1927 to Axel and Ella Peterson in Onamia, MN and attended high school in Milaca. Shirley graduated from St. Olaf in 1949 and married the late Philip L. Hansen in 1950, a lifelong love that began in elementary school. Together, they raised two children: Susan (Ivan) Fossen and Mark (Wendy) Hansen and loved their three grandchildren: Daniel Hansen, Sarah (Donovan) Weimar, and Philip (Erin) Fossen. She shared her talents as a Home Economics teacher in Onamia and White Bear Lake. Together with Phil, they served three Lutheran parishes: Rake, IA; Preston, MN; and White Bear Lake, MN. After moving to Minneapolis, she taught classes at North House Folk School and Ingebretsen's. Even stronger than her knitting and baking skills, was her Christian faith. Shirley dedicated her time, talents, and funding to numerous charities and social service programs. Shirley led a full life with many experiences, dear friends, glorious travel, and a close and loving family. Much like the intricate pattern a Norwegian sweater, if you look closely you are mesmerized by the time and energy put into each stitch; and when you step back you can admire the beauty of an entire life well lived. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful staff at Glenwood Retirement Village who loved and cared for Shirley in the final weeks of her life.