MARY JANE (STEINE) HANSEN
MARY JANE (STEINE) HANSEN
Mary Jane (Steine) Hansen entered into eternal life April 4, 2025. She was born Feb. 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 Black River Falls area throughout her life.
Mary was baptized at the North Beaver Creek Lutheran Church April 21, 1946, and was confirmed 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 June 17, 1967 and they established their home in the township of Irving, where Mary lived until her death. David preceded her in death October 25, 2005.
Mary taught first and second grade in Melrose, WI, from 1968-1970 and second and third 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 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 local educators here in Black River Falls. 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 Millston, and Joan Yeskie of Carson City, NV; 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 11 a.m. at Little Norway Church. Visitation will be held Monday, April 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Little Norway, as well as from 10 a.m. 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.