Merle Hansen

MERLE DANIEL HANSEN was born November 19, 1933 to Glen and Mildred “Molly” (Meyer) Hansen in Tyler, Minnesota. He was baptized in Tracy, Minnesota in 1935 and later confirmed at First English Lutheran Church in Tyler. He attended school in Tyler and graduated from Tyler High School in 1952. On September 5, 1954 Merle married Shirley Christensen at Danebod Lutheran Church. Their union was blessed with three daughters and 64 years of life together. He was a lifelong resident of Tyler. After high school he started working part-time at Lyon Lincoln Electric in Tyler and retired from there 45 years later as Lineman Superintendent. He was diagnosed with cancer in October of this year, and on November 11, 2018 Merle died at Avera Tyler Hospital eight days before his 85th birthday.

Merle was a lifelong member of First English Lutheran Church in Tyler, where he had served as Church President, usher, and choir member. He was a charter member of Tyler Lions Club and a member of Tyler Kiwanis. He served on the Tyler Golf Club board, delivered Meals on Wheels, and used his woodworking skills to create donations for community causes. He enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and yard work, golf, fishing, hunting, bowling, woodworking, and playing Liars Dice with his morning coffee group. Merle will be remembered for his quick wit and caring nature, a gentle protective love of family and friends, and a deep love of his wife of 64 years. He was strong spiritually, physically, and mentally and loved the outdoors and sports. He enjoyed the Danish Christmas tradition of dancing around the Christmas tree.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Shirley; his daughters, Nancy Hagmann of Twin Cities, MN, Vicki (Greg) Goblirsch of Prior Lake, MN, and Karla Grams (fiancee, Jeff Hayes) of Phoenix, AZ; three siblings, Dale (Jane) Hansen of Ankeny, IA, Steve (Ann) Hansen of Cold Spring, MN, and Kathi (Mic) VanDeVere of Tyler, MN; six grandchildren, Gretchen O’Keefe-Ricci, Justin O’Keefe, Kyle Goblirsch, Corey Goblirsch, Hunter Grams, and Jordyn Grams; nine great-grandchildren, Treyton Bixby, Kyla O’Keefe, Brayden Goblirsch, Lukas Ricci, Jaxsen O’Keefe, Adelynn Goblirsch, Leah Ricci, Margaret “Maggie” Goblirsch, and George Goblirsch; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Molly; two sisters, Jeanne Larson and Diane Zandt; and a brother, Rick Hansen.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or First English Lutheran Church.