Ernest Hansen

Ernest J. Hansen, age 87 of rural Garden City, died Saturday August 30, 2003 at the Lake Crystal Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday at Garden City Baptist Church with Pastor Harvey Hallada officiating. Burial will be in Garden City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 " 7 p.m., Tuesday at Lake Crystal Mortuary and one hour before services at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to a favorite charity or organization.

Ernest J. Hansen was born January 6, 1916 to H. G. and Gertrude (Hartwig) Hansen in Garden City. He graduated from Garden City High School in 1934. He farmed for almost his entire life. He married Dollis E. Nichols on June 8, 1941 in Garden City. They lived on the farm until 1999 when they moved to Primrose retirement community in Mankato. Ernest moved to Lake Crystal Health Care Center because of his health.

Ernest was an active member of the Baptist Church in Garden City, having served on numerous boards and other capacities. He was a charter member of the Sir Henry Wellcome Trust in Garden City. He served as a 4 " H leader for 31 years and was active in the Farm Bureau. Other organizations of which he had been active include the Blue Earth Co. Historical Society, American Red Cross, the Blue Earth Co. Fair Board, Garden City Creamery Board, and Garden City Cemetery Assn.

He is survived by his wife, Dollis of Lake Crystal; two daughters and their husbands, Kathryn and David Byram of rural Garden City and formerly of Mapleton, Mary and Jim Conroy of Hastings; three grandchildren, Lee Byram and wife, Angela of White Bear Lake, MN, Jill Byram of Biwabik, MN, Jay Byram of Mapleton; one step-grandson, Patrick Conroy of Prescott, WI; two great-grandsons, Alex and Levi Byram; one sister, Phyllis Hudson of Lake Crystal.

He was preceded in death by four infant siblings.