Donna Mae Hansen

Donna Mae Hansen

1937 – 2025

IDA GROVE - Donna Mae (Smith) Hansen, 88, of Ida Grove, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at UnityPoint-Health St. Luke’s Hospital of Sioux City.

A Public Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home in Ida Grove. Private family committal services will take place in the Ida Grove Cemetery in Ida Grove.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Donna Mae (Smith) Hansen, the daughter of Horace and Stella (Wright) Smith, was born April 14, 1937, in Arion, Iowa. She grew up in the Arion and Dow City, Iowa, area and graduated from Denison High School with the class of 1955.

She was united in marriage to Bernard A. Hansen on Aug. 7, 1955, in the Zion Lutheran Church of Denison. The couple were blessed with four children Bradley, Bruce, Brenda, and Darla. In 1957, the family relocated to Ida Grove.

Donna enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino. She liked playing the one-arm bandit, bingo, a good game of Euchre and a nice cold beer. Donna also loved baking and is fondly remembered for her delectable pies and mouthwatering rye bread. She also enjoyed camping over several summers with Bernie and a cherished group of friends. Donna treasured her family and attended many of her grandchildren’s events.

Over the years, Donna worked at various places in Ida Grove, including Montgomery Wards, Denny’s Drive Inn, Food Service for Horn Memorial Hospital. She also worked in the Ida Grove-Battle Creek Community School District, and at the Ida Grove Reminder and was a courier for United Bank of Iowa.

Donna is preceded in death by her husband Bernie of 52 years; parents Horace and Stella Smith; siblings: Jack, Joe, Jerry, Lonnie, Bess, and Jean. 

Those left to cherish her memory are her four children: Brad (Therese) Hansen of Lake View, IA, Bruce (Marjean) Hansen of Odebolt, Brenda Hansen of Odebolt and Darla Hansen of Sioux City; grandchildren: Breanna (Brett), Brandon, Courtney, Brett (Brandi), Erica and Haley (Paul); great grandchildren: Corianna, Faith, Lance, Brylie, Bailey, Kenzie, Kamyrn, and Karsyn; brother-in-law Walter Woebke; and many nieces and nephews.