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Janet Marie Hansen, (Jan) beloved wife, mother, sister, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, at age 87. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, curiosity, and a life well-lived, filled with music, nature, travel, and the people she loved.
Born on November 29, 1937 in Le Mars, Iowa, to Harold R. and Marie A. (Zimmerman) Bollinger. The young family moved many times in Jan’s childhood, from Iowa to Illinois, to Wisconsin, and eventually settled in Waconia, Minnesota.
Jan grew up with a song in her heart and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the world around her. From a young age, she found joy in singing — whether it was in choirs, in singing solos for funerals, in Music Madams, or in her kindergarten classroom. Her soprano voice was a beautiful comfort and a source of light to those who knew her.
Education was always a priority for Jan and she was a lifelong learner and advocate of education. She graduated from Macalester College, later obtaining her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin in River Falls. In conjunction with her own learning, she supported learning for others through her service on the Hastings, Minnesota School Board and as Trustee on the board of Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri.
A gifted teacher, Jan spent 22 years shaping young minds and encouraging her students to learn about new subjects and ideas. She had a unique ability to make lessons come alive, always finding ways to connect classroom topics to the world around her. Jan also became a certified yoga teacher following her retirement from teaching kindergarten in Hastings, MN. Her students remember her not just for what she taught, but for how she made them feel — seen, heard, and valued. In her career, she was involved in many organizations including Wisconsin Association of Teacher Educators, and served as President of the St. Croix Valley Association of Teacher Educators.
It was through her educational endeavors that she met her beloved husband, Glenn Hansen. They shared not only a love of education but also found commonalities in so many other areas of life. Both adventurous spirits, Jan and Glenn loved to travel, finding joy in exploring new places. Whether it was a cross-country road trip in a homemade dune buggy or a stroll through a farmers’ market, they approached every journey with a plan and a ready smile. Jan also planned annual trips for her P.E.O. Sisters from Chapter DW in River Falls to see new places and enjoy each other’s company.
Jan nurtured a love for gardening and nature. Her yard was a sanctuary of blooms and singing birds, each plant a testament to her patience and care. She had a particular fondness for songbirds, and the deck was filled with the cheerful sounds of feathered visitors enjoying the feeders she kept stocked year-round. Jan also volunteered for and participated in many different groups in both Hastings and River Falls.
Jan is survived by her husband of 40 years, Glenn, her sister Genie (Chuck)Dueber Waconia, MN; daughters Julie Goranson, Wausau, WI; Amy Foster, Charlotte, NC, and Glenn’s children Evan (Collen)Hansen, Whiting, WI; Andy (Peggy) Hansen, Howard’s Grove, WI; and Peggy (Terry Quinn) Hansen, Hudson, WI. She adored being a grandmother to Karen, Julie, Greg, Dan, Kevin, Matt, Joe, Tommy, Jerry, and Samuel and great grandmother to Connor, Alice, Emma, David, and Kennedy. The grandchildren and nieces and nephews have fond memories of cookouts, playing games, and being in nature with her.
A celebration of Jan’s life will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 11:00 am at the First Congregational Church of River Falls (110 North 3rd Street), where friends and family are invited to celebrate a life well-lived. Jan’s service will also be live streamed using the link below. Visitation will be held for an hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri or to The First Congregational Church of River Falls.
Her family wishes to thank The Sycamore of River Falls and St. Croix Hospice for the care and compassion she received in her later years.
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
Click here to watch Jan’s service live on Saturday, June 14th, 2025 at 11AM
4 Comments
Jan was a sweet, loving person who shared her joyful disposition with everyone she encountered. I have fond memories of Jan and Glenn when they invited our church youth group to their apartment on our way to a mission trip to Biloxi, Mississippi.
Jan or Bollie as I always called her was a special friend from Macalestee college. We shared so many fun and meaningful experiences…Our group of 8 Mac friends stayed in contact since our 1959 graduation..She lived life to the fullest and will be missed by many!!
So sorry to hear of Jan’s (Bollie’s) passing. She was part of a group of us from Macalester College and we kept a round-robin letter going for about 60 years, including visits to our homes about every 5 years. She was a lovely woman and I’ll miss her letter in our round-robin.
I was fortunate to know Jan through her yoga class. She was the consummate teacher. Her knowledge, guidance and presence was the perfect combination for our classes. “Nothing is more beautiful than someone who goes out of her way to make life beautiful for others.”
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