George A. Hansen, 86, Wabasha

George A. Hansen, age 86, of Wabasha, a longtime Wabasha-Kellogg Public School educator, died Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at St. Elizabeth’s Health Care Center in Wabasha.
He was born March 31, 1932 in Tyler, MN, the son of Vern and Clara (Johnson) Hansen. His childhood was spent in Arco, MN, where he attended grade school and junior high school. He attended Ivanhoe High School from 1947-1950 taking the normal courses for college preparation. He was very interested in sports and participated in football, basketball, baseball and track during his high school years. After graduation in 1950 he enrolled at Winona State College graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology and Physical Education.
While attending college he played football all four years and was named first team all conference in 1952 and 1953. In 1963 he attained a Master of Science degree from Winona State to round out his education. In 2007 George was honored to be named to the Winona State All Century Team which consisted of the top 100 players from the last one hundred years. He was the oldest surviving member of the century team at the time of his death.
George married Elizabeth Wise, the daughter of Everett and Erna Wise, of Winona, August 21, 1954 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona. The couple moved to Harmony, MN in 1955 where he taught and coached one year before moving to Wabasha where he taught industrial arts and driver education and coached until his retirement in 1989. After retirement he took a part-time job for six years driving tour buses for John Hall’s Anderson House Tours. He enjoyed the people and the novelty of the job. He then was a courier for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital driving to and from the Red Cross blood bank in St. Paul as well as to Rochester, Winona, and Red Wing.
He enjoyed outdoor sports as a young man and in his later years he spent a great deal of time following all levels of professional sports. His favorite pastime was spending time with Betty in the car taking their many short trips and going out to dinner. His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his loving family and all who knew him.
George is survived by his wife, Betty Hansen, Wabasha, MN; children and spouses, Jeff and Karen Hansen, Wabasha, MN, Cary and Sonya Hansen, Alma, WI, Tim Hansen, Wabasha, MN, Cheryl and Scott Hubbard, Plainview, MN, Lisa and John Ostrom, Cottage Grove, MN; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Verna Jones and Phyllis Schultz.
A memorial Mass was offered on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 11:30am at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha with the Reverend Father Gregory Parrott, Reverend Monsignor Robert Meyer and Deacon John Hust officiating. Interment followed at St. Felix Cemetery. Family and friends called at Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Monday, March 4, 2019 from 4-8pm and at the church on Tuesday one hour before the Mass. Memorials are preferred to St. Felix School, 130 3rd St. E., Wabasha, MN 55981. The Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements. www.abbottfh.com