June 7, 1928 – April 15, 2026
Kathleen J. Hansen, 97, of Rockwell, Iowa, died Thursday, April 15, 2026, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, April 20, 2026, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockwell. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Peter Lutheran or the Rockwell Community Nursing Home.
“Strong, stubborn, and sassy” are three words that best describe the wonderful woman Kathleen Hansen was. She built a lifetime of being devoted to her family and farm. She worked with her hands her whole life, always did things her way, and was not afraid to tell you how it was.
Kathleen Joan (McNamara) Hansen was born June 7th, 1928, to Gerald “Gay” and Anna (Andersen) McNamara. She was the second oldest of seven. She spent most of her childhood helping raise her brothers and sisters and tending to the farm.
Kathleen graduated from Rockwell High School on May 19, 1945. She married the love of her life, Cecil V. Hansen, Sr., on May 23, 1945, in the Lutheran Parsonage of Rockwell. Together, they started their home on the Hansen farmstead, northwest of Rockwell. They raised six children there: Judy, Linda, Christine, Cecil Jr, Donald, and Michael. Kathleen and Cecil farmed the land side by side. They also raised dairy cows, chickens, and pigs. Kathleen loved being in the field during the spring and fall. She continued helping on the farm well into her eighties.
Kathleen had a fierce, loving soul. She was “Grandma Kathleen” to many children she babysat over the years, even long after she cared for them. Kathleen loved nature. She enjoyed growing flowers and taking care of animals. If she was not outside tending to her garden, she was inside working on cross-stitch. Kathleen loved making personal gifts for those she held dear. She made many baby blankets, personalized wedding gifts, and wall decor. Kathleen’s joyous love was shared with a smile and a hug.
Kathleen is survived by her children: Judy (Kenneth) Proctor, Linda (Kenneth) Meyer, Christine (Kent) Morton, Cecil Jr. (Connie) Hansen, Donald (Dawn) Hansen, and Michael Hansen. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great-grandchildren, her sister Audrey Warner, and many nieces and nephews.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband Cecil, granddaughter Penny Meyer, her parents, brothers Robert, Gerald, Lanny, John, and sister Margaret.
Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 123 2nd ST SE, Mason City, Iowa 50401 641-423-8676.
Fullertonfh.com