Geraldine C. Hansen

Northview - North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato, MN 56003 (507) 388-2288 Geraldine "Jeri" Catherine (Janasz) Hansen, age 84, of Mankato, died Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at Laurel's Peak in Mankato. With acceptance and grace, Jeri moved on from her life's journey on Earth while remaining open minded to the endless possibilities of what lay ahead for her. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Jeri's Life, on Thursday, October 15, 2015, at Northview - North Mankato Mortuary. A private interment will take place at Woodland Hills Memorial Park. Memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Health System - Mankato Hospice. Jeri was born on April 17, 1931, in Minneapolis. She was the daughter of Frank and Ann (Kapala) Janasz and older sister to Chester (Chet) Janasz. She was a graduate of Edison High School and later attended MSU-Mankato. In 1950, she married Kenneth Hansen, and while still living in Minneapolis they completed their family of two sons and a daughter. In 1960, Jeri and her family moved to Mankato where she and her husband started and co-owned a successful business, Farm Systems, Inc. She worked as a bookkeeper there for over 30 years as well as working for several other businesses in Mankato as a bookkeeper. While in her 70's (to keep her out of trouble) she worked as a cashier at Walmart and even liked doing so. At various times over the years she also volunteered her time at the Salvation Army and MRCI. Jeri was a voracious reader all of her life, enjoyed playing cards (especially bridge and poker), knitting, embroidery, doing crossword puzzles, and was an avid golfer (she was justifiably proud of her precision with her short irons). She was passionate and knowledgeable on the subject of NFL Football and very verbal as a back seat coach and referee as she watched the games on TV. Everyone knew not to interrupt Jeri while a game was on but all were welcome to join her as long as we agreed with her calls. Jeri and Ken enjoyed wintering in Arizona from 1979 to 2004 and, as Jeri was never one to sit still, they rented a space at the local flea market and sold crafts and books. They formed many friendships and basked in the delight of being flea market junkies. More recently Jeri's guilty pleasures were potato pancakes and faithfully tuning in to watch Jeopardy. She also got an occasional chuckle from watching "Judgmental Judy". Jeri will be fondly remembered by many but thoughts of her will be most lovingly cherished by Ken, her husband for 65 years; her 3 children, daughter Gail (Lee) Monson of Mankato, sons Scott Hansen (Anne) of Shakopee and Paul Hansen of Wabasso; her daughter by choice Joan (Donald) Hansen of Maplewood; her 7 grandchildren, Brian (Jill) Monson of Mankato, Ryan (Kendra) Hansen of Brooklyn, NY, twins Nicole (Mike) Hansen of New Prague and Rachel (Marti) Schmitz of Portland, OR, Andy Monson of State College, PA, Christopher (Amy) Hansen of Boston, MA, and Jennifer Hansen of Prior Lake; 5 great grandchildren, Zac and Ella Morris, Ava Monson, Archer Schmitz, and Mason Hansen. The great-grandchildren too young to remember her will get to know her through a family legacy rich with memories and stories.