Obituary of Kimberly Michelle Hansen

Kimberly Michelle Hansen, age 52, of Port Edwards, passed away Monday, November 5, 2018 at Edgewater Haven following her courageous and unending fight with Lymphoma.

Kim was born May 30, 1966 to Hans and Linda (Miller) Hansen in Wisconsin Rapids. She graduated as the salutatorian from John Edwards High School as a member of the Class of 1984. Kim continued her education at Carroll College where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1988.  She went on to receive her MBA in International Business and Business Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1993. She taught in the business department at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids for 25 years, before retiring due to her illness. Kim was revered by both her colleagues and students, for her professionalism and passion for teaching.

In addition to teaching and helping her students, she had many interests and passions. Kim enjoyed playing board games with her family, reading books, and traveling. She traveled across the United States, as well as multiple countries across Europe, most often traveling with members of her family. Kim shared a love of dogs with her mom and particularly the family dogs: Holly, Cotton, Shadow, Violet, Scamp, Caramel, and most recently, Augie (the doggie).  Another passion of hers was music, which started at the age of 5, when she first began taking piano lessons from her Aunt Judy. Kim continued playing the piano throughout high school in the band and choral groups. She took her passion and love for music to Carroll College, where she accompanied and sang in the college concert choir. Her participation in the concert choir took her to the Vatican, where she was blessed by Pope John Paul II. Kim participated in the Milwaukee Symphony Choir and Waukesha Choral Union.  She loved to perform for her local congregation, the Port Edwards United Methodist Church, by singing in the choir and playing the piano during church services. Kim also regularly lead the family in singing the prayer at holiday dinners and other special occasions.  

Her most treasured possessions were her family: Dirk, Troy, and her dad.  She was the proud aunt of Megan, Carl, and Grace, all of whom she loved beyond words.

Kim is survived by her father, Hans (Nancy) Hansen; her brothers: Troy Hansen and Dirk (Wendy) Hansen, also “adopted brother”, Jim Leiser; her nieces: Megan Hansen and Grace Hansen; and her nephew, Carl Hansen; she is further survived by many extended family and friends.  She is preceded in death by her mother, Linda Hansen; and her grandparents: Jim and Lila (Murgatroyd) Miller and Emil and Faith (Lamb) Hansen.

Kim so loved all of her family and friends. She greatly appreciated the thoughts, prayers, well wishes, and words of encouragement, throughout her illness.  She wanted to make sure that her thanks and appreciation went out to Dr. Isaac Yeboah, for the exceptional care and unceasing efforts she received from him.  Expressions of thanks and appreciation also go out to the care team at Marshfield Clinic.

The family would like to extend special appreciation to the staff at Edgewater Haven for the care and comfort shown towards Kim and the members of her family during their visits.

The family would also like to thank: their father, Hans; family friend, Betty Kohnen and her life-long friend, Amy (Joslin) Terpstra; Uncle Larry Miller and Aunt Judy Miller, as they cared for Kimberly, round the clock, at her home, for weeks, before her eventual return to the hospital.

Services will be Friday, November 9, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Port Edwards United Methodist Church. Pastor Dave Guse will officiate.  Burial will take place at Port Edwards Municipal Cemetery.  Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids and on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the funeral service at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.  Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to one of Kim’s favorite charities: The South Wood County Humane Society, The Neighborhood Table, or the Port Edwards United Methodist Women.