Gary Jon Hansen, 77, Blooming Prairie
Gary Jon Hansen, 77, of Blooming Prairie, died Sunday, March 12, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born November 16, 1945, in Owatonna, Minnesota, the son of Anhart and Ina (Hjelman) Hansen. He grew up on a farm near Blooming Prairie and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1964. He joined the United States Army in 1964 and was honorably discharged in 1967.
He married Marlene Sukow in 1968. The couple had two daughters, Tracey and Katherine, and later divorced. On June 12, 1982, Gary married LaRae “Lu” Horan at Trinity Lutheran Church rural Blooming Prairie and welcomed into the family Lu’s three daughters, Denise, Michele, and Angela.
Gary worked at Wenger Corp. for 19 years, retiring in 1986. He then began his own business, Hansen Excavation, in 1987. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Blooming Prairie, where he served as the council president. When the church closed, he and Lu joined Aurora Lutheran Church. Along with serving in his church, Gary served on the board at Prairie Manor Nursing Home and was a member of the Blooming Prairie Military Honor Guard.
Gary enjoyed woodworking, making many items for his family. He was happy to teach his grandchildren the fine details of woodworking. He also enjoyed car and tractor restoration. Antique tractor pulls were a highlight of his summers.
He is survived by his spouse LaRae "Lu" Hansen of Blooming Prairie; daughters, Tracey (and Paul) Welch of Rochester, Katherine Strouckel of Rochester, Denise (and Scott) Robins of North Branch, Michele (and Stefan) Freeman of St. Cloud, and Angela (and Cory) Michaelson of Owatonna; siblings, Robert (and Judy) Hansen of Blooming Prairie, Marie Seykora of Lilydale, Karen Freiheit of Stewartville, Jim (and Pat) Hansen of Austin, Judy (and Dave) Livingston of Dodge Center and Terry (and Robin) Hansen of Owatonna; 11 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by parents, Anhart and Ina Hansen; siblings, Eugene “Axel” Hansen, Carol Wright, Jeanette Underwood, Eileen Peterson, Helen Mehus, Ann Anderson, and Dean Hansen.
A visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Thursday, March 16, 4-7 p.m., and at church one hour prior to the service. Funeral services will be held March 17, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Aurora Lutheran Church, rural Owatonna with Reverend Clark Baldwin officiating. Interment will be in the Union Cemetery rural Blooming Prairie with military honors by the Blooming Prairie American Legion Post #52 Honor Guard.
Memorials are preferred to the Blooming Prairie American Legion Post #52, Aurora Lutheran Church, or donor’s choice.