Marlyss Hansen

LIFE STORY AS COMPILED BY HER CHILDREN Marlyss Katherine Hansen (nee Brittan) Marlyss was born at her grandmother’s farm in Clear Lake, Wisconsin. She was one of five children to Hazel (nee Rogers) and Leslie Brittan. The family was raised in the Billings Park neighborhood but ended up moving out to a farm. Marlyss always hated the transition from running water and modern amenities to being out at the farm with different critters. Although she disliked the farm, she still helped her brother, Bryce, with milking the cows and brushing the horses. After the move, Marlyss continued to bus into town and attend East High School in Superior. However, when she was a junior, her father had a heart attack and she had to drop out of high school. She got a job and helped her mother to support the family. When she returned to school a year later, she continued with her amazing grades and graduated as Valedictorian of the class. She then met the first love of her life, Douglas Haworth, at an ice cream social. The two were married on June 20, 1948 and later had their son Rod. Just a year and a half after being married, Douglas passed away in a car accident, she was broken hearted. But eventually, Marge Brown, her best friend at the time, set her up on a date with Milton “Tim” Hansen and in him she found the second love of her life. They were married on October 31, 1953 and swore their whole life that they did not know they had set their wedding date to be Halloween. Marlyss worked at General Electric and Sammy’s Pizza Parlour while Tim worked a seasonal job at the shipyard. They began raising the kids up in Superior but eventually Tim went to the cities to find year round work. He took a job with a printing press manufacturer and moved the family down to the Selby/Dale neighborhood of St. Paul in 1959 and in 1968, they moved the family to White Bear Lake. Marlyss was an amazing mother and enjoyed cooking and taking care of the family. Her most memorable dishes were her homemade egg noodles, "roast beast", spare ribs and sauerkraut, broasted chicken, peach cobbler, and “late night bread.” She and Tim’s roles switched drastically when Tim had a heart attack and had to step away from his job. Marlyss was working as an inspector for Buckbee Mears Company at the time. She unselfishly worked overtime and sometimes weekends to help make ends meet. While in White Bear Lake, the family became involved at First Presbyterian Church off of Bloom Avenue. After a family wedding at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, they decided to switch churches because they enjoyed Pastor Brum (and later Pastor Woodruff) so much. This is where the youngest kids were baptized (at 13 years and 16 years old). At church, Marlyss loved attending each week, helping serve for luncheons, going to bible studies, and being involved in the Widow’s Club. She was a very faithful woman who put both God and her family in the center of her life. In her later years, Marlyss was able to join family members for some memorable trips to Washington DC, Gettysburg, and Williamsburg. She was a huge history buff so these trips were right up her alley, she even got to visit historic battlefields. With so many important people in her life serving in the military, she was very patriotic as well. She was proud of her Irish heritage, which is where she got her sense of humor and occasionally her Irish temper. Marlyss had an extremely sharp memory and had everyone’s phone numbers and birthdays memorized. She was so thoughtful when it came to birthday cards and would make a point to browse for the absolutely perfect Hallmark card for everyone. She was extremely sweet and thoughtful and her sense of humor of unmatched. She was quick to smile and share a laugh as she joked with those around her. She truly lived a life of love and dedication to her family, friends and faith. OBITUARY NOTICE AS PUBLISHED IN THE PIONEER PRESS Marlyss Katherine Hansen (nee Brittan) Age 91 of White Bear Lake & St. Paul. Loving mom, grandma, great-grandma, great-great grandma, and friend. Preceded in death by husbands, Douglas Haworth and Tim Hansen. Survived by children, Rod (Carin) Haworth, Scott Hansen, Mike (Collette) Hansen, Mark (Sherry) Hansen, Laurel "Laurie" (John) Siebolds, Billy (Beth) Hansen, and Steve (Gina) Hansen; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Visitation from 3-6PM on Sunday (6/24) at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake. Service at 11AM on Monday (6/25) at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 1965 East County Rd. E, White Bear Lake with visitation 10-11AM. Interment at Union Cemetery in White Bear Lake.