Mary Louise Hansen

Mary Louise Katherine Hansen nee Bloczynski was born November 1, 1931 in Athens, WI. She died November 24, 2017 in Minocqua, WI after a lengthy battle against Parkinson’s. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Helen Bloczynski nee Valenta, her brothers, James, Charles and sister-in-law Paula Swanson Bloczynski. She is survived by her husband, William, son Douglas (Cheryl), granddaughters, Kathryn and Ellen Hansen. She is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Gress (Peter), sister-in-law, Geraldine Olson Bloczynski, brother-in-law, Richard Hansen (Mary Jane) and their sons, Allen (Denise) and Keven and cousin-in-law Nick Hansen (Lori) plus many other nephews, nieces and cousins. Mary Louise graduated from Central State College in Stevens Point in 1957 with a BA in History and English. She was a National Honor Society Member and also belonged to the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter. She married William Hansen on August 18, 1956 in Athens, WI. Douglas was born in 1957 and after moving around for a year they settled in Madison, WI where they lived until retirement to Minocqua in 1997. She spent many years as a homemaker raising Douglas and actively volunteering with school and church activities. She attended Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Madison spending much time and energy volunteering and then working as the Director of Adult Enrichment there. She loved working with people, creating programming of all types and from there went on to develop and lead tours for Gretchen Petersen Tours in Madison, WI. Her husband worked for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and traveled extensively throughout the state. She was very understanding and tolerant of his being gone frequently due to his work. Mary Louise and William moved to Minocqua in 1997 after retirement where she became active in the Minocqua Museum, the Auxiliary at Howard Young Medical Center, the Minocqua Public Library, the Order of the Eastern Star and many other activities. She loved it when Doug, Cheryl and the girls came to visit as well as when other family and friends visited. She loved going to garage sales and estate sales especially when Cheryl and Doug were up to go with her. Her main focus in life was her family. She also loved the family dogs and having them come to visit both at home and then at Country Terrace where she spent the last two and half years. According to her wishes, she has been cremated and a private family service will be held at a later date. The family extends a Thank You to Dr. Thomas Gabert and the Staff at the Marshfield Clinic in Minocqua and to Kristy Burke and the staff at Country Terrace for compassionate care over the last two and half years. Memorials can be made in her name to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children (shrinershospitalsforchildren.org) or to the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinsonsfoundation.org).

Mary Louise Hansen

November 1, 1931 - November 24, 2017