Kermit R. Hansen

Kermit Richard Hansen of Lake Crystal, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died December 2, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona due to complications from cancer.

Funeral Service 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal.  Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., Saturday at the church.  Interment will be in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Cemetery, Butternut.

Born November 20, 1940, in Mankato, Minnesota to Einer and Ruie (Laingen) Hansen, Kermit grew up on a farm in Butternut Township, Minnesota. After beginning his education at a one-room school he graduated from Lake Crystal High School before attending St. Olaf College and then Mankato State for his master’s degree in school counseling. He taught at Welcome High School and then Inver Grove Heights junior high school, where he met his future wife and fellow school counselor, Marilyn Anderson. They were married on June 10^th, 1972, and left teaching in 1978, to move back to Butternut to run the family farm, which they did until retirement in 2010. He was an avid sports fan, coached and refereed basketball, baseball, and football for many years, and helped start the Mankato Officials Association. He was also active in his local community, including serving on the Butternut Valley Township board, cemetery board, and on the church council at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. He had wintered for 20+ years in Mesa, Arizona where he actively participated in many activities at Orangewood Shadows resort.

Kermit is survived by his wife, Marilyn (Anderson) Hansen; daughter, Kris (Greg) Wammer; grandchildren Emily and Lukas Wammer; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Phyllis and Greg Collier; and five nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son, Todd Hansen; his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Paul Case; and infant sister Charlotte.

Kermit will be remembered for his sense of humor, his way of making everyone feel welcome, his knack for winning a bridge game, and a stubbornness we attributed to his Norwegian heritage. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to go to CaringBridge or to donor’s choice.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.