Nancy Hansen

Oct 15, 2016

New Richmond, Wisconsin

Nancy (Nan) Hansen of New Richmond, Wisconsin died Saturday October 15, 2016. Nan, who had an intense sense of humor, leaves behind a two bedroom apartment full of African art, hundreds of books, a sweet 4-cylinder Dodge Neon enhanced with scratches from hitting the garage door, canes and walkers and those things that grab stuff off the floor, and a freezer filled with single serve meals. Nan was born on March 20, 1930 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She shares that birthday with her grandson Joe. Nancy is the daughter of the late Evan and Hattie Peck. Nan was a great cook and got none of those talents from her mom. Nan leaves behind sons Evan and Andy and daughter Peggy. Evan’s family includes his wife Colleen and their children Karen and husband Bob, Julie and her husband Josh and their son Connor, and Greg and his wife Katie. Andy’s family includes wife Peggy and sons Joe, his wife Nicole, and Tom. Peggy’s family includes husband Terry and their cat Melissa. Nan also leaves behind a thriving bloody mary mix business named after Nan – Nan’s Naughty and Nice – original or spicy. (What a shameless plug.) Nan was very proud of her family even though the group is quite unique. She would ask us that there be no more mooning or middle fingers in family photos. We will miss her telling us to “Suck it up and stop feeling sorry for ourselves.” Nan was the wisest person we knew. She was wise like Yoda. She adjusted to using technology and was very proud of her IPad.

Nan had an intense passion for knitting. All the kids have something knitted by Nan. She knit hats for infants in hospitals in the Cities and hats for the homeless. She knit afghans and shawls and mittens and dish rags and glass huggers. She loved playing bridge, and the group of women who played as well. She loved to brag that she won $.75 because “I got good cards today!” She was a voracious reader and a lover of the Friday Memorial Library in New Richmond and served as the President of the Friends of the Friday Memorial Library. Nan loved flowers and shopping for them and planting them with Peggy. The neighbor boys who helped her water the flowers were often treated to the best sugar cookies ever. Nan was an amazing cook as well. She could turn a frozen pound of hamburger into a meal, as she would say, “Fit for a King.” We who loved her will not forget her directness, when we needed it, her charm, her smarts, her cookies, her tenacity, her grace, and her undying support and love. A celebration of life will be held Saturday October 29 at Friday Memorial Library from 4:00-6:00p.m. Please give generously to Friends of Friday Memorial Library in her honor.