Shirley Hansen

Shirley Hansen, age 95, of Milbank, SD, died on March 13, 2019, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank.

Funeral services for Shirley Hansen are scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Milbank, SD.  Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn will officiate.  Visitation will take place from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 18, 2019, at Mundwiler Funeral Home and continue one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.  Burial will be at Milbank City Cemetery at a later date.

Shirley Marcella Boerger was born on October 8, 1923, in Milbank, SD.  She was the daughter of Benjamin and Elsie (Trapp) Boerger.  She and her four siblings lived and worked on the Boerger farm.  She loved working with her dad in the fields and learning household chores with her mom.  Shirley attended school through the eighth grade.  At the age of 16, Shirley quit school so she could help with the day to day running of the farm.

Shirley was united in marriage with Herbert Hansen on June 15, 1944, on the Boerger family homestead.  They made their home in Milbank, SD.  They were blessed with six children: Gloria, Betty, Roger, Mike, Rick, and Barbie.  Herbert worked as a union electrician, working on major projects throughout the United States.  The family traveled together and lived in many states until returning to South Dakota in 1968.  They missed traveling and went back on the road in 1980, traveling another nine years before returning to Milbank to retire.

Shirley was a hard-working homemaker, a business manager for Hansen Electric, and a devoted grandmother.  She was a member of Central United Methodist Church.  She also worked at several local retail stores.  Shirley loved the challenges of life and always rose to the occasion.  In her lifetime she had six children, 15 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.  She lost her beloved Herbie in 1998, and her life became centered on her children and grandchildren.  She taught them many lessons of unselfishness, love, kindness, and that every day can bring happiness and rewarding experiences.

Left to cherish her memory are her six children: Roger (Liz) Hansen of Sioux Falls, SD; Michael Hansen (special friend, Kathy Bethke) of Milbank, SD; Richard (Debra) Hansen of Seattle, WA; Gloria (Harold) Ramsey of High Point, NC; Betty (Ron) Ovind of Parker, CO; Barb (Dale) Schultz of Corona, SD; 15 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Arvid (Elvina) Boerger of Milbank, SD; two sisters-in-law: LaVerna Moldenhauer of Watertown, SD; and Lois Boerger of Watertown, SD; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Ben and Elsie; her husband, Herbert; one sister, Eileen Swedburg; two brothers: Daryl Boerger and Milo Boerger; one son-in-law, Marlin Heuer; and one granddaughter, Desiree Hansen.

Go with God today and live happily ever after.  We love you.