Obituary of Minna Signe Hansen

Minna Signe Hansen 1920 - 2017 The family of Minna Hansen are saddened to announce her passing on October 12, 2017 at the age of 96 years. Minna was born on December 23, 1920 in Copenhagen, Denmark to parents Sorine (Poulsen) and Valdemar Jensen, the eldest of three. She came of age just before the start of WWII and lived through the horrors of the occupation of Copenhagen, where her younger brother John was killed at 16 years old. This was a very difficult time in her life and one she did not like to talk about. In 1948 at 27 years of age, she decided to come to Canada to visit some uncles and aunts who had immigrated earlier. She planned on staying six months. On the ship over to Canada, she met Axel Hansen who was coming back to Canada after spending three months in Denmark. They were married in April 1948 and settled on his farm south of Stettler. This must have been a very difficult time for her, but she eventually settled into and thrived in her new life of raising chickens, growing a garden and raising her family. Minna and Axel were able to go back to her beloved Denmark in 1975 with good friends Kris and Rose and in 1984 with her daughter and son-in-law. Axel passed away in 1980 and in 1981 she moved to Red Deer to be closer to her family. She would talk about the activities of the Downtown House, such as floor curling and dancing, which she loved to do if she could talk a friend into going with her. The last six years of her life were spent in the loving care of the staff at the cottage West Park Lodge, Red Deer, where they became like her extended family. Left to mourn her loss is her daughter Kris (Willie) Nelson; son Jim (Maureen) Hansen; granddaughter Lisa (Tyler); grandson Ryan (Lisa); great grandchildren: Jordan, Addison and Sienna all of Red Deer and three nieces, two residing in Denmark. She was predeceased by her parents Valdemar and Sorine; brothers John and Aage and husband Axel. The family would like to thank Dr. Thompson and the staff for the wonderful care Minna received at the West Park Lodge in Red Deer. A graveside service will be held at the Lake View Cemetery, Stettler on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Jonathan Aicken officiating where she will be laid to rest beside her husband. Following the graveside service all are welcome at the St. Peter Lutheran Church for a time of fellowship and a luncheon provided by the St. Peter Lutheran Ladies. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army or to a charity of your own choice. Condolences may be sent to the family and viewed at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium, 403-742-3422, entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.