Gerald "Jerry" D. Hansen

Gerald Duane Hansen, age 94, of North Mankato, MN, went to his eternal rest with Jesus on April 12, 2024.

He was born March 3, 1930, in Cherokee, Iowa, the only child of Henry and Ann (nee Langholz) Hansen. He was made a child of God at his baptism on March 23, 1930, at Zion Lutheran Church, Paulina, Iowa.  He was confirmed in his Christian faith on May 30, 1943. His confirmation verse was Psalm 26:8, “Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.”

On March 25, 1951, he married Katherine Francis at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in North Mankato, and they were married 35 years. Kaye passed away on Nov. 20, 1986.

After graduating from Bethany Lutheran College, Jerry enlisted in the Army and served in Korea from 1951-1953. He returned to Mankato and began working for School District #77 as a teacher at Washington Elementary School from 1956-1965. He was best known as the first principal at Hoover Elementary School where he touched many lives and created many memories from 1965-1984. He later served as the principal at Monroe Elementary School until his retirement in 1987.

Jerry’s appreciation and love for Bethany Lutheran College continued to grow. He treasured the truth of God’s Word that was taught with excellence at Bethany and especially enjoyed their remarkable music and theatre productions. As a perpetual learner, Jerry loved discovering new things and then explaining them in great detail. As an optimist, Jerry looked for the best in others, generated smiles, and offered positive encouragement everywhere he went.

Jerry has three surviving children: David (Becky) Hansen of Forest Lake, MN, Naomi (Dan) Schmidt of Fond du Lac, WI, and Sara (Randy) Bode of Nicollet, MN. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Alex (Corina) Hansen, Ashley (Tim) Asuncion, Krista Schmidt, Jes (Shawn) Woller, Alyssa (Luke) Kaspar, and Hannah (Aaron) Markgraf, Travis (Laura) Bode, and Kaitlyn (Eric) Braesch. Great-grandchildren include Olivia Asuncion, Norah, Miles, Zoe, and Malcolm Woller, Riley, Aiden and Grace Kaspar, Molly and Grant Markgraf, and Micah Bode.

He is further survived by his step-children Lynn (Tim) Berg of Burnsville, MN, Amy (Mike) Olsen of North Mankato, MN, Perry Conrad of Mankato, MN, and Paul Conrad of Mankato, MN. Step-grandchildren include Heather (Colin) Geistfeld, Holly (Craig) Gleason, and Heidi (Eric) Larson; Nathan (Alicia) Olsen, Jacob Olsen, and Gretchen Olsen (and special friend Kyle Looft); and step-great-grandchildren Hadley, Oswin, and Teagan Geistfeld, Caleb and Bennett Gerald Gleason, and Kira, Nyla, and Reya Larson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kaye, quadruplet daughters Rebecca, Deborah, Penelope and Christine; and a great-grandson, Mason Bode.

Special thanks to Jody Jenney and the team from Brighton Hospice who served the family with exceptional care and kindness. Thanks also to Mary Ann Bender, the staff, and many residents at Monarch Meadows who provided wonderful care and companionship.

Visitation will be from 9:00 - 11:00 am at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN, on Friday, April 26th. A Memorial Service will be held at the church at 11:00 am, followed by interment in Glenwood Cemetery and a luncheon. Northview – North Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. www.mankatomortuary.com