Ruth Hansen

Ruth Hansen, age 101, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Fairway View Neighborhoods in Ortonville, MN.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Rev. Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett will officiate, and inurnment will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of Ruth’s obituary page at: www.mundwilerfuneralhome.net.

Ruth Marie (Tessien) Hansen was born on October 18, 1923, on the family farm in Wisconsin Township of Jackson County, MN, to Leuie and Alma (Miller) Tessien. She was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church in Jackson, MN, on November 25, 1923, and was later confirmed in the Lutheran faith on October 29, 1935. Ruth attended country school through sixth grade, then attended Jackson Public School. She was active in band, (where she and Peter played French horn), symphony orchestra, chorus, and baton twirling. Before her marriage, Ruth worked at the jewelry store in Jackson.

First seeing her future husband when she was in fourth grade and he was in sixth grade, Ruth was smitten with a boy named, Peter Hansen. The two were ice skating and did not know one another, but they fell in love at that young age and had a love that lasted more than 70 years. On October 12, 1945, Ruth and Peter were united in marriage. Together, they were blessed with four children. The couple made their home in Minneapolis, MN, until Peter graduated from dental school. They later made their permanent home in Ortonville, MN.

With faith and church being important to Ruth, she was active in many groups and held numerous offices in the church women’s groups. She was on the board of the Community Concert Association and served as Chairman. Ruth was also active in the American Legion Auxiliary and was a member for over 70 years. She worked for the American Red Cross Blood Mobile and served as Red Cross County Chairman. Aside from her work with community assemblies, keeping her home, and raising her children, Ruth did volunteer work at the beauty shop at Northridge Residence, and she delivered mobile meals for many years. She held the honor of being a Gold Star Mother as a result of the death of her son, Peter, in Vietnam.

Ruth was an avid seamstress and loved growing roses in her flower beds. She enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing, golf, playing Bridge, dancing, and traveling. Ruth also liked to play board games like Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit. She was an amazing cook and loved to entertain. Ruth was always in the mood for a good laugh and cherished the time she spent with family and friends. Most importantly, she loved the time spent with her loved ones, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish Ruth’s memory are her daughters: Beth Hansen of Belle Plaine, MN; and Anne (David) Tonn of Ortonville, MN; her son, Kurt (Dori) Hansen of Loveland, OH; her grandchildren: Chris (Vauna) Hansen, Lindsay (Nima) Sobhani, Peter (Kirsten) Hansen, David Hansen, and Kathryn (Matthew) Toigo; her much loved great-grandchildren: Terin, Kai, Finley, Eiley, Kylah, Peter, Noah, and Shepherd.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter; son, Peter; her parents, Leuie and Alma Tessien; sister, Kathryn; and brother, Robert.

Ruth looked forward to eternity with the Lord and to being reunited with her loved ones and her Bridge partners: Marilyn, Gen, and Barb.

Memorials in Ruth’s name may be made to the Big Stone Health Care Foundation, the Ortonville VFW Post 3964, or the Big Stone Legion Gertje-VanLith Post 229 Auxiliary. 

Big Stone Health Care Foundation
450 Eastvold Ave
Ortonville, MN 56278
Ortonville VFW
333 2nd Street SE
Ortonville, MN 56278Big Stone American Legion Gertje-VanLith Post 229
14521 485th Ave
Big Stone City, SD 57216