Patricia "Pat" Hanson

Pat Hanson finished her nearly 98 wonderful years here on Earth the same way she lived it, surrounded by her family. Pat was raised in Sioux City, Iowa as an only child, and vowed to have ten children. She attended Morningside College and Iowa State University, but left a year before graduating to marry her husband, Bill. Bill was apparently undaunted by the plan for a large family and he and Pat began their married life together in 1949. They had nine children and moved throughout the Midwest until they settled in Waseca in 1966. Pat loved her home near Clear Lake.

When Bill became ill with emphysema, knowing he would become disabled at some point, Pat went back to college at Mankato State University to complete her teaching degree. She then joined the Waseca School District in 1972 as pool director and physical education teacher. She taught for twenty years in the most supportive school district with colleagues who were, and still are, dear friends. She retired from teaching in 1992, but Bill died just three months later. She responded in the indomitable way that Pat Hanson always does, and filled her life with friends, gardening, and spending time with her family, near and far.

Throughout her decades in Waseca, she headed the Waseca County Red Cross Swimming program, training instructors and teaching swimming to literally generations of kids. She lifeguarded the early morning lap swimming at Waseca High School until she was 83 years old, when she decided it was probably best to turn in her whistle and pool keys.

Pat was most proud of her nine children, their families, and their many accomplishments. Pat was a strong proponent of education, hard work, accountability, and overcoming minor obstacles without complaint. Pat left her family a legacy of handling the adversity that life can bring with the support of family, and the ability to see humor in nearly all situations (especially the ability to laugh at ourselves). She will be sorely missed.

Pat is preceded in death by her husband Bill, her granddaughters Tristan Derringher and Megan Hanson, two infant grandchildren and one infant great-grandchild. She is survived by her nine children and their spouses, Andrea Hanson-Cruz, Bill (Sheryl Garner), Cindy, Jim (Carol), Rick (Hope), Laura (John Koenen), Jill (Andrew Worsey) Tricia Mercier (Steve), and John (Lori). She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, Adriana Cruz (Andrew Ramirez), Brett Hanson, Laurel Hanson (Eric Edelo), Mariel H.C. Folk (Zac), Ben Cox (Karolina Blaszczuk), Joe Hanson, Brian Hanson (Kayla), Hillary Markiewicz (Ben), Hayleigh Hanson, Will Koenen, Sonja Hanson, Elsa Hanson, Briee Mercier, Halle Mercier, Emily Simmons (Erik), Nick Hanson (Bailey) and eleven great-grandchildren, Ethan Derringher, Olivia Derringher, Mason Hanson, Riley Hanson, Ruby Hanson, Watson Hanson, Madelyn Markiewicz, Harper Simmons, Remy Simmons, Archer Hanson, and Finley Hanson.

The family expresses special thanks to the current and former staff members of Latham Place (Lakeshore) Assisted Living for their care and kindness. The family is also grateful to the staff of Lakeshore Rehabilitation Center for their excellent and compassionate care.

A public visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. A private family service will be held and interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca. Memorials may be directed to Waseca Area Foundation.