Carol Jean Hansen October 26, 1931-August 5, 2021

Carol J. Hansen passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Loving wife of the late Donald J. Hansen (2017), Carol is survived by her youngest brother Neil (Jean), her nine children; Michael (Laurie), Holly (Scott), Kathy, Jeffrey (Penny), Patti (Jeff), Judy (Dave), Tim (Jenny), Donna (Dave), Heidi (Harris); 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Carol was predeceased by her parents, Francis and Carl Beisenstein, and brothers Roland and Russel.

Carol raised her nine children in Bayside, Wisconsin. Her door was always open and she had steady stream of visitors. On most days, there were more than nine children at the Hansen home playing games and hanging outside and in the basement. She always had fresh vegetables and clam dip for healthy snacking and greeted everyone with a welcome smile and the amazing smells of the evening dinner. Carol was a remarkable cook who delighted in family style sit-down dinners for laughs and conversation.

Carol loved the holidays and made them extra special with decorations, homemade cookies, large gatherings, music, and incredible meals. She also loved to travel and celebrated in the sites, sounds, and cultures across the world. She especially loved returning to Germany where she and Don lived for the first year of marriage.

Carol enjoyed hosting and attending her “Gourmet Group”, a circle of friends who shared a love a food and a good cocktail. Besides cooking, Carol enjoyed sewing, baking, reading, and meeting family and friends for lunch and dinner.

Carol loved experiences and imparted a love of travel and the outdoors in all her children and grandchildren. She planned visits to parks, lakes, beaches, and Wisconsin festivals. For Carol, it wasn’t about a tangible item, but the memories and stories she created with her family and friends.

Carol was active in her community volunteering her time at Christ Child Society of Milwaukee and the PTA at Bayside school, teaching CCD at St. Eugene’s in Fox Point, and serving food banks around the city.

The night before she passed, Carol enjoyed a favorite meal of grilled cheese, apple sauce, and an ice water with a “whiff of gin”.

Carol was an incredible family matriarch and will be very much missed by all the lives she touched.

Visitation will be held at Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at St Eugene Congregation, 7600 N. Port Washington Road in Fox Point, Wisconsin from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Private burial at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Christ Child Society of Milwaukee. https://christchildmilwaukee.org/