Mary Ann Hansen, 90, of Asbury, IA passed away peacefully on Tuesday,  May 26, 2026 at Grand Meadows in Asbury, IA.

Private family services were held at the Church of the Resurrection on Friday, May 29, 2026.  Burial was at Resurrection Cemetery.  Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Mary Ann was born on April 3, 1936, the youngest of 8 children, of Clarence and Ida (Ehrlich) Bahl.  She attended a one-room schoolhouse in Asbury and then went on to graduate from the Academy of the Visitation in Dubuque.  Mary Ann met her “dance partner in life”, John Hansen, at the Melody Mill Dance Hall and the two were married on September 18, 1954 at St. Philomena’s Church in Asbury.  The couple moved to Laurel, MD while John served in the Army before returning to Asbury to raise their family.

Mary Ann worked outside of the home for several years as a secretary.  First, in a civilian capacity at Ft Meade, MD Army Base and then later at Hempstead High School in the Activities Office; however, her favorite work and greatest joy was caring for her family and home.  She especially cherished time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mary Ann also enjoyed baking, canning, gardening, and playing cards.  Her homemade lemon meringue pie and chocolate layer cake were her signature desserts and family favorites.  It was apparent from the flowers she grew and the clothes she wore that she never met a shade of pink she didn’t like.  Together, she and John took pride in designing and maintaining their meticulously landscaped yard. Mary Ann was handy with a needle and thread, spending countless hours on her sewing machine mending, tailoring, making outfits as well as decorative pillows and window treatments for their home.  She played the piano beautifully, although few people knew it because she rarely played in front of others. Her penmanship was exquisite – a lost art in today’s world.  Mary Ann’s Catholic faith was also an integral part of her life.  As a lifelong member of the Church of the Resurrection, she participated in and supported many charitable causes throughout the years.  Mary Ann attended mass regularly and said the rosary daily, always praying for others. She was a kind and giving person in her own quiet, gentle and unassuming way. 

Mary Ann was deeply loved by her family and will be fondly remembered for her gracious spirit and warm, beautiful smile.  She is survived by her husband of 71 years, John; children, Steve Hansen, Lynne (Kevin) Hennings, Dawn (Chuck) Andracchio and JoAnn (Tom) Goodman; grandchildren, Kate Hansen and Ashley Hennings; great grandchildren, Brianna, Polly, Brooklyn, Hayden and Becca; and a sister-in-law, Shirley Bahl. She is reunited in Heaven with her parents; grandson, Austin Hennings; daughter-in-law, Diane Hansen; and siblings, Dorothy (Lester) Camfield, Margery (Joe) Temple, Robert (Wilma) Bahl, Daniel (Ruby) Bahl, James (Mary) Bahl, Philip (Bess) Bahl, and David Bahl.

A Mary Ann Hansen Memorial Fund has been established and will be given to charities close to her.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Grand Meadows and Hospice of Dubuque for their excellent care of Mary Ann.  Your compassion and kindness will never be forgotten.