Our beloved father, grandfather, great- grandfather, and friend Charles C. Hansen, aka Chisey Hansen, was called to his heavenly home on November 7, 2024, at the age of 100 years old at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 11:00 am and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye. The clergy will be Fr. Craig Timmerman. The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will lead the Rosary at 10:30 am prior to the service. Interment will be at Home Cemetery in the veterans’ section in Sleepy Eye following the Celebration of Life. Military Honors will be provided by Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2024, from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel with Parish Prayers at 1:45 pm. Visitation will continue on Monday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church – North Entrance in Sleepy Eye. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
He is survived by his daughter, Jan (Rod) O’Marron and his two sons, Craig (Linda) Hansen and Scott Hansen; grandchildren, Rachal Becker (John Yost), Derek (Rachel) Volz, Brady Hansen, Jody Hansen (fiancé Jevan Richert) and Brandon Hansen (significant other Jackie Nessett); great grandchildren, Allison Becker, Colten Becker and Katelyn Becker; and brother-in-law, John (Jack) Mertz along with many nieces and nephews.
Chisey was born on July 4, 1924, to Charles C. and Veronica Hansen in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. He attended St. Mary’s Elementary and High School in Sleepy Eye where he really enjoyed playing football. Upon graduation from high school in 1942, he served his Country in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946 as a 2nd Class Motor Machinist Mate where he was honorably discharged. After the Navy, he worked at Del Monte as a lift-truck driver for 72 ½ cents an hour for a summer. That following fall, he attended Mankato School of Business and graduated with a Junior Accountant Degree. Upon returning to Sleepy Eye, he met and married Phyllis George on November 8,1947. With his father owning the Dray line, he and his brother Hooch soon were in the soda and beer distribution business known as Hansen Distributing Company and his brother Dick took over the Dray line. Eventually his two sons, Craig and Scott joined him as owners of the distributing business until the sale of the company in 2010.
Throughout his long life, he found himself very active in his community and held positions in many organizations such as Commander of American Legion Post #7, 1952, Director of Western Minny Baseball Team, Chairman of Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club, American Legion Representative, Sleepy Eye Swimming Pool Committee(Chairman); Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce, St. Mary’s Board of Education, Sleepy Eye Jaycees, Lion’s Club, Knights of Columbus( Captain 4th Degree); Charter Member Fraternal Order of Eagles and on the Board of Directors for Americana Community Bank for 15 years.
The organization that was his heart and soul was the Sleepy Eye Medical Center. He served on the Board of Directors for 29 years (21 years as Chairman of the Board).
His father C.C. Hansen served as the first Chairman of the Hospital Board and laid the cornerstone when construction was commenced to construct and equip a municipal hospital in 1941. He followed his father’s footsteps and guided the organization through the acquisition of the Sleepy Eye Medical Clinic and the expansion and renovation project to create a combined hospital and clinic to be called the Sleepy Eye Medical Center.
After many great years of leadership and guidance, he retired at the end of his term on December 31, 2002. Then shortly thereafter, he became an initial member of the Sleepy Eye Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors along with Mary Lou Mathiowetz and Dr. Murphy. After the passing of his wife, Phyllis, he started the Chisey Hansen Family Medical Scholarship fund in 2001, and it is still continuing to date.
He married Shirley Hendley later in life and they enjoyed retirement and traveling. Shortly after Shirley’s death, he moved into the Lake Villa Maria Apartments where he was often seen out and about walking to achieve his daily goal of 5,000 steps a day with an occasional trip around the lake on the walking path.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles C. and Veronica Hansen; spouses, Phyllis Hansen and Shirley Hendley-Hansen; brothers, Richard (Dick) Hansen and spouse, Katherine Hansen and Harold (Hooch)Hansen and spouse, Jeanne Hansen; sisters-in-law, Ethel Krzmarzick and Norma Judge; brothers-in-law, Eddie Krzmarzick and Tom Judge; and niece, Sandra Moon.
He left this world with these words of wisdom, “Work hard, enjoy life, be honest and trustworthy”.
He will be remembered for his unwavering Faith, Love for his Family and Love for his Community and Country. Blessed be his memory.
Memorials are appreciated for the Sleepy Eye Medical Center, St Mary’s School and Divine Providence Community Home, Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Divine Providence Community Home Nurses and Staff, Sleepy Eye Medical Center Doctors and Staff and Allina Hospice Nurses and Staff.
Rest in Peace our dear Father.
