Barbara "Barbs" Ann Hansen

Barbara Anne Hansen (Jarandson), known as Barbs, died peacefully while in Sanford Hospice House care in Fargo, ND on September 16, 2024. Her care there was so much appreciated.

She was born on March 5, 1935. She was raised in the orphanage in St Paul & foster care till age 10 before being adopted by Clarence & Fannie Jarandson. They adopted 3 other children, her biological sister Janet & 2 brothers- Kenneth & Theodore (rip). She was preceded in death by Lyle Hansen, her husband of nearly 70 years, 

2 children- Tim & Terrie as well as grandson Mark Lyle. She is survived by Tammy (daughter), Toni (daughter), & Mitch (son in law) plus multiple grandchildren & great grandchildren.

Barbs was a good student graduating with honors from high school. She was a soloist with the Detroit Lakes High School choir & went to state in debate 3 years & won twice. She also won the I Speak for Democracy contest twice. She was intent on going to college to be a speech therapist when she met Lyle who didn't exactly swoop her off her feet... that came later. They married 8/22/1954. They started their married life in Hitterdal, MN. Four children soon followed. In 1966, they bought 2 acres of land just east of Hawley, MN where they built their first house. 

Barbs was a full-time mom who prided herself in caring for her busy household & community.

Barbs was involved in church activities like ladies aid, multiple Hawley Lutheran cookbooks productions, & church counsel. She started 3 Camp Fire girls groups in Hawley. When it became apparent to Barbs the town needed a youth center, she & a handful of people wrote & applied for a grant to create one. The grant was accepted including a full time youth director. It was a major entertainment center for so many. When the girls softball team lost its coach & was going to have to fold, she stepped up to coach the team. She also started (another grant) a 4 town young girls softball league again with a director's salary. 

Barbs loved sports. One daughter joked she raised them on Wide World of Sports. There weren't many sports opportunities for women in that area, so she went about creating some. She (& Betty Young, rip) started a women's softball league. She also started & bowled in a women's bowling league.

Barbs had an artistic side that she expressed in some drawings, paintings & many ceramic pieces. She enjoyed reading and was an organizer of a book club. One friend said Barbs did the best things when it was her turn to host & have a book themed lunch 

Barbs' history with foster care as a child led her & Lyle to share their home for several years with disadvantaged young teens in the shelter care system. She served on the Clay County Welfare board. 

After Lyle retired from Sellin Brothers, they rented a lake cabin for 3 years before purchasing a lot on Big Lake Cormorant where they built their retirement home. Barbs remained active in church with Cormorant Lutheran. She was part of the Becker County Watershed Board & the Cormorant Lake Association. 

Barbs loved to cook & bake. She recruited Lyle into baking duties in his retirement years too. They were known for donuts, several kinds of cookies plus bars & cakes. She donated dozens & dozens & dozens of sweet treats to support local fund raisers & church activities. 

Barbs has always been an advocate for education & learning. If she didn't know something, she studied up on it. Even in death, she is donating her body to science so others may learn.

A memorial service will be held Friday, September 20, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., with visitation for one hour before the service, at Cormorant Lutheran Church, Lake Park, MN. Burial will be at Hawley Cemetery. 

There will be a livestream of the service here at the link below.