Mary Jane (Steine) Hansen entered into eternal life on April 4, 2025. She was born on
February 23, 1946 in Whitehall, WI to Spencer and Verna (Tjerstad) Steine. She moved
to Black River Falls at the age of two and resided in the BRF area throughout her life.
Mary was baptized at the North Beaver Creek Lutheran Church on April 21, 1946 and
was confirmed on May 1, 1960 at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Black River Falls.
She was an honor graduate of Black River Falls in the class of 1964. She attended La
Crosse state university and graduated in 1968 with a degree in elementary education.
Mary was united in marriage to David S. Hansen on June 17, 1967 and they established
their home in the township of Irving, where Mary lived until her death. David preceded
her in death on October 25, 2005.
Mary taught 1 st and 2 nd grade in Melrose, WI for 1968-1970 and 2 nd at 3 rd grade at Forrest
Street Elementary in Black River Falls from 1972-2004.
Mary had a passion for teaching and developing a child’s sense of self-worth. She was
also passionate about passing on the love of her Lord and Savior to children during her
27 years of teaching Sunday school, Bible School sessions and serving as the
storyteller at Top of the Hill Bible School at Evangelical Lutheran Church in BRF.
She served many years on the Little Norway Council as a deacon, sang in the Little
Norway choir, was WELCA coordinator and president, vice-president and secretary of
the women’s group and a long-time member of the Rebecca Circles Bible Study group.
After her retirement and the early death of her husband, Mary desired to give back to
her community that meant so much to her. She found many avenues to pursue and
being a volunteer brought her great joy.
She served on the board of Friends Sharing Food and was the coordinator for the Food
for Kids program, a program that provided supplemental food to children with food
insecurity issues. She worked on planning committees for local cancer society events,
found great joy in opportunities for service to others through Interfaith Caregivers, taping
the the local newspapers for the visually impaired, visiting and phoning shut-ins or
shopping for grocery items that were needed.
Mary found great joy in being a mentor through Interfaith’s JUMP program. She also
tutored children and served as a story reader for special events, believing that joy could
be found in forming new relationships.
She served on the board of trustees for the Educational Enrichment Fund and saw
firsthand the great efforts extended to financially support our local educators here in
BRF. Mary was a 2010 recipient of the Women in History award.
Mary is survived by her son, Greg Hansen; three sisters, Rita Ann (Stanley) Bernette of
Sparta, Judie (Tom) Harkner of Millson, and Joan Yeskie of Carson City, NV; and a
brother, Greg (Becky) Steine of Black River Falls; brothers-in-law Robert J. Hansen and
Tom Harkner; three sisters-in-law Cindy Hansen, Lois Hansen, and Becky Steine; her
eight precious godchildren Marianne Torkelson, Sonja Burkhart, Mark Hansen, Kristina
Tennert, Jacob Steine, Erik Steine, Carrie Wees and Dan Quimby; as well as numerous
loved nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, David; two sons, Scott and John; her
parents Spencer and Verna Steine; in-laws Al and Irma Hansen Madsen, Ove Madsen
and brothers-in-law Richard Hansen, Stanley Bernette, and Dennis Yeskie.
Funeral services for Mary Hansen will be held Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 11am at Little
Norway Church. Visitation will be held Monday, April 21 from 5pm-8pm at Little Norway,
as well as from 10am until the start of services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Mary’s memory to the Little Norway
Church, Interfaith Caregivers, Friends Sharing Food, or the Black River Falls
Enrichment Fund.
Those who love the Lord never see each other for the last time. The blessed hope and
promise of eternal life comforts and sustains.