Leander "Lee" Hansen

Feb. 25, 1932 – Dec. 27, 2011 Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2011 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring, MN for Leander L. Hansen, who entered eternal life on December 27, 2011 at Assumption Nursing Home in Cold Spring. Rev. Julius Beckermann will officiate. Burial will be in the St. James Cemetery in Jacobs Prairie. Relatives and Friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Friday at the Wenner Funeral Home in Cold Spring. Parish prayers will be at 7:00 p.m. followed by a rosary with the St. James Men’s Society. Visitation will continue from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning at the funeral home. Leander was born February 25, 1932 in Wakefield Township, Minn. to Roman and Martha (Molitor) Hansen. He served in the Army from 1953 to 1955 and then transferred to the Army Reserves until 1961. During his early military service, he lived in Seattle, Wash. He later moved to Jacobs Prairie, where he farmed for 55 years. Leander received his high school diploma, and continued his college education by attending a variety of courses and programs in agriculture. He married Arnella Krueger on October 15, 1953, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring, MN They were married 37 years before Arnella died September 2, 1990. Leander loved farming and serving his community. He was named the Outstanding Farmer of the Year in 1964. He was a member of the St. James Men’s Society, Knights of Columbus, Cold Spring American Legion and Catholic United Financial. He served as the Wakefield Township Clerk for 38 years and on the District 18 School Board for six years, Mid-Minnesota Mutual Insurance Board for 28 years, St. Joseph Co-op Board, and Farmers Home Administration (Farm Service Agency) Board. He was a member of St. James Jacobs Prairie Church for many years, where he was an active volunteer, lector and Trustee for 14 years. He was also a distributor for DeKalb Seeds and Vigortone Feeds. He enjoyed bowling, playing cards, watching baseball and checking the local crops and weather. Leander is survived by his children, Sandy, Joan (Mike) Willenbring of Jacobs Prairie, Jean (Don) Stock of St. Joseph, Deb (Bob) Heinen of Richmond, Tom (Donna) of Jacobs Prairie, Jeff (Sandi) of Cold Spring, Tammy (Tom) Moore of Royalton and Pam of St. Joseph; sisters Loretta (Roger) Zimmer, Leona Lardy and sister-in-law Eileen (Marcellus) Hansen; 11 grandchildren, three great grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Arnella; brother, Marcellus; sisters, Florence and Lorraine; parents, Roman and Martha; granddaughter, Brittany Hansen and great-grandson, Isaac Willenbring. A special thank you to the staff at Assumption Nursing Home, who provided wonderful care for Leander during the past two years of his life.

Leander "Lee" Hansen

February 25, 1932 - December 31, 2011