Service Details
Funeral Service: Friday, March 2, 2018 at 12:00 noon in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home (4600 County Line Road)
Visitation: in the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Racine – Kathleen May (nee: Behrend) Hansen, age 81, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, February 23, 2018 following a courageous battle with cancer.
Kathy was born in Racine on June 24, 1936 to the late Charles and Grace (nee: Peck) Behrend. A graduate of Washington Park High School, she went on to school to fulfill her dream of being a nurse. Kathy served our community as a Licensed Practical Nurse for over 25 years at St. Luke’s Hospital & St. Mary’s Medical Center, retiring in 1997.
On March 8, 1975 in Racine, Kathy was united in marriage with the love of her life, William R. Hansen. With a profound Christian faith, she was a devoted 40 year member of Hope City Church, formerly known as True Life / Bethel, where she proudly held leadership positions in Greeter Ministry & Life Group Co-Leader. Among her interests, she enjoyed camping, fishing, crocheting, Green Bay Packers and watching wildlife programs. Above all, she loved and cherished spending time with her entire family.
Surviving are her loving husband of nearly 43 years, William “Bill” Hansen; children, Kimberly (Steve) Greninger, Robert C. Roberts, Donna (Dan) Atkinsen, Timothy Hansen and Rick (Flavia) Hansen; grandchildren, Quentin Timo, Christopher Greninger, Taneka Machado, Nicholas Greninger, Jessica Roberts and Amber Bowen; 12 great-grandchildren; beloved canine companion, Maggie May; other dear relatives, cousins, church family & friends – too numerous to mention all by name.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 2, 2018 at 12:00 noon in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with Pastor Tylre Butler officiating. Interment will follow at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held in the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon.
A special note of thanks to Dr. Ryan Engel, Wheaton Hospice (especially Julie & Cara) and home care nurse Barb for their compassionate care and support given in Kathy’s time of need. May God bless all of you!
Twana and Michael Scalf, Blanchard, OK says
Michael and I never got to meet you Kathy, but from all the wonderful things Bill has told us, you were the love of Bill’s life. Bill was my brother’s best friend in the Army, and I am so glad you all came into our lives. I know that Bill and Tim will miss you, but they are so grateful you are in Jesus’s loving arms. I know we will meet someday, and we all will live with joy as you are now. Bill and Tim, the job is well done…you were faithful servants to a loving mother and wife.
Corinne Perez says
I can’t say enough about this truely wonderful Christian woman. She always showed love. And she persevered in her faith. What an amazing woman and so few like her to be found. Thanks to her husband Bill Hansen for standing so compassionately by her side through her illness. You will be in our prayers.
Frank and Stephanie Sisson says
So sorry at the loss of Kathy. We have many happy memories of our days at Bethel. Prayers and condolences to Bill and family.
Rose Puma says
Condolences and love to the family. It was a pleasure to know Kathy – a dear and wonderful lady who always greeted everyone with a smile and word of encouragement. She left a legacy of a wonderful Christian woman who devoted her life to her family and helping others. Kathy, you will be missed and we will meet again someday as we rejoice with the Lord, family, and friends.
Cheri says
Kathy, you were an inspiration to me. I admired your nursing ways, and often tried to take your example. I loved that one of your favorite scriptures was “In My Father’s House, there are many mansions”; and you pondered on what that meant. Now you know the answers to that, and I’ll bet you are so excited! It’s hard to see you leave us, but I know you’re happy, and free from pain. Love you!
Bill, you have been such a strong and good caregiver during these past months. You’ve been through a lot, and I know more hard times are coming as you find the days ahead missing Kathy. Blessings to you, for being so patient and strong….and you, Tim, & Rob will always have my prayers.
Tom, brother in law says
Kathy, you knew I would marry Cheri even before we knew. She always tells me about when she told you we met, how you jumped off the couch, pointed your finger, and said “That’s the one!!! That’s who you’re going to marry!”. We both have great memories of fun times together with you.
Bill, I’m so sorry for your lost. Hang in there, brother.
Flavia says
Kathy was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, mother in law. Such a woman of faith and love for the Lord.
I will never forget her words shortly after her cancer diagnosis. “The Lord has made me, He knows my body”. How right she was!
She is asleep, resting now. As Rev 20:6 says:” Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years”.
Looking forward to the day when Jesus will come down to take us home with Him.
How comforting to know that there will be no more death, sorrow, pain, crying, no more good byes, and we will never part again!
Sandi Luedtke(medlock) says
I did not know you well Kathy but remember your gracious ways at Bethel!! And always admired your loving relationship with Bill..we will meet again…love to all the family
Rick Hansen says
Kathy, truly an amazing lady who stayed with her faith and the love of the Lord until the finality of her long and hard fought battle came to a close. As a devoted wife and mother who truly loved her family had the strength and the courage to face the challenges of her life. Throughout, she has inspired myself with that love she had and her unflinching courage. Although now we shall be missing her in our daily lives we shall certainly fall back upon our cherished memories of her. Time and our faith shall be the necessary elements that heal us all, and then perhaps we shall find a day when our sorrow subsides in which we can smile at those fond memories of her. She was always a wonderful step-mother to me. Someone whom I loved much and it was a true honor to have her in my life. I shall miss her dearly. So, for now dear Kathy, Rest in Peace, until we are one day re-united again.
JoAnn Fabrics team says
Our thoughts and prayers our with you and your family. Our sincere condolences.
Jennifer Boedecker says
Kathy will be so greatly missed, I’ll cherish the wonderful talks her and I shared, she and I are so alike when it came to talking, we could stand there forever and just chat away about anything and everything, a short grocery store trip to grab a few items could turn into hours when we ran into each other, sorry Bill I know there were plenty of times we stood among the flowers chatting away as you did the shopping alone because use two just wouldn’t stop, I’m truly going to miss that, such an amazing, fantastic, beautiful woman she was and I know she’s watching over everyone from her place in the heavens, keeping that conversation going with all the people who went before her, she’s got some catching up to do up there and I hope everyone takes comfort in knowing that when the day comes for reuniting she’ll be there to fill everyone in on what they missed. 💛
Sherry Thompson says
Bill,
I am so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. She was a wonderful person to work with at St. Lukes and to also know. I know she is in heaven singing around the Fathers throne.
God bless and comfort you with His promise. Love Sherry Thompson (Christensen)
Julie Paulson says
Bill and Tim,
So sorry to read of Kathy’s passing. She was an amazing woman, a wonderful mother, and a faithful servant of God. You are all in my prayers. I remember her very fondly.