Marlene A. Hansen, 75, of Owatonna, died Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Cedarview Care Center.
She was born September 27, 1936 in Aurora Township, Minnesota the daughter of Edward and Irene (Reichstetter) Wencl. Marlene's parents died when she was five years old and she was raised by her great aunt and Uncle Bill and Mary Wencl. Marlene graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1954, and then worked at the Woolworth Store in Owatonna. She married LaVerne Hansen on November 2, 1955 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA, and the couple lived on a farm near Ellendale. They moved to Owatonna in 1959 and Marlene worked for the Owatonna Canning Company for 15 years and then for OTC for 26 years, retiring in 2000. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, and was a member of the Ladies Aid. Marlene was a member of the Elks, volunteered at the Senior Center and helped arrange dances there. Her greatest passion was spending time with her family, and she also enjoyed playing cards and reading.
She is survived by her children Diane (Alan) Humphries of Waseca, LaJean Ulestad of Owatonna, and Dale Hansen of Owatonna, five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters Joan Pirkl of Medford, Lucille Svotos of Tower, Regina Wacek of Blooming Prairie, and her sister-in-law Gladys Bedney of Owatonna.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband LaVerne, son Raymond, daughter Cynthia Vierling, three infant children and sister Katherine.
Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Tuesday April 3, 2012 from 4 to 7 p.m. and at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Wednesday April 4, 2012 from 1 to 2 p.m.. Funeral services will be held Wednesday April 4, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church with The Reverend Kirk Griebel officiating. Interment will be in the Union Cemetery Bixby.