Shirley Hansen

Shirley Hansen, age 81, of McIntosh, MN, passed away on Wednesday (August 21st) at Essentia Hospital in Fosston. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday (August 27th) at Mount Carmel Free Lutheran Church in McIntosh with the Rev. Timothy Lundeen officiating. Interment will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, rural McIntosh. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home, serving McIntosh and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Shirley Mae Wissler was born on March 29, 1932 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Norris and Serena (LaPoint) Wissler. When she was young, she lived in Minneapolis, Minot, ND, and Grand Forks, ND. Her parents were struggling and eventually divorced, so Shirley lived with Tom (Serena's brother), Bessie, and Ruby Brokke (Vaa) of McIntosh. Her mother, Serena, came back for Shirley when she was 4 years old, but she was already attached to the Brokke family.Shirley attended elementary and secondary school in McIntosh and graduated in 1951. She was confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in McIntosh. Shirley was united in marriage to Kenneth Hansen on June 27, 1953. Shirley worked on the farm and raised two children, Mike and Shelley. She worked part-time at Warford Drug Store, Dyrud, B & B and Ness Café's, the potato harvest, and selling Avon. She was a charter member of Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church. Shirley was an avid gardener of vegetables and flowers, a canner, and a great cook. Her personality was loving, funny, tender, and sweet. Her greatest joys were her children, grandchildren, and her love for animals.Shirley was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in her late forties. She had other physical complications from two serious car accidents, which together with Crohn's left her struggling with her health for forty years. Her strength, endurance, courage, and will to live for her family is a true testament to her bright and loving spirit. She had many loving caregivers over the years from hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, home health, family, and friends. Her last years, she was able to stay in her home with loving care from Kenny, Mike, Carol Anne Reese, and Carol Jean Smeby.On August 21, 2013, Shirley passed away at 81 years old at Essentia Hospital in Fosston from complications due to Crohn's disease, a mild heart attack, and pneumonia. Her family and friends have some comfort that her peace has come.She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Kenny of McIntosh; son, Mike Hansen of McIntosh; daughter, Shelley Hansen (Craig Croone) of Northfield, MN; three grandchildren, Hilary Hansen of Minneapolis, MN, Casey (Kendra) Hansen of Grand Forks, ND, and Creegan Croone of Northfield, MN; previous daughter-in-law, Beth Hansen of Albertville, MN; one half brother, Ron Wissler of Gadsden, AL; five half brothers and sisters of California, Donny "Donald", "Cookie" Patricia, "Susie" Marilyn Sue, Glen, and "Dutchie" Roberta; niece, Nancy (Larry) Grade of New Leipzig, ND; nephew, Donald Vaa of McIntosh, and other nieces and nephews; and special friend and nurse, Carol Anne Reese.She was preceded in death by her parents and adoptive parents; uncle, Benny "Red" Brokke; sister and brother-in-law, Ruby and Arnold Vaa; and many friends.