Mary Ellen Hansen

    Mary Ellen Hansen, age 83, Wall, S.D., died Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Golden Living Center in Sioux Falls.
    Mary Ellen O'Dea was born March 22, 1932, in Philip, the daughter of Austin and Anna (Theel) O'Dea. She grew up at Cottonwood and graduated from Quinn High School in 1950. She taught school for four years.
    Mary was united in marriage to Kenneth Hansen on Aug. 17, 1955, and during their marriage was blessed with three sons, Keith, Gary and Eric.
    They lived in Philip until they moved to Wall in 1969. She helped her husband with their business. After they retired, she worked at the Wall Public Library a few days a week for a few years.
    She is survived by her husband, Kenneth; three sons, Keith (Meg) Hansen, Sioux Falls, Gary (Shar) Hansen, Chaska, Minn., and Eric (Natalie) Hansen, Wall; six grandchildren, Megan, Jamie, Alex, Alyssa, Reid, and stepgrandson, Tyler Peterson; one brother, Francis “Bud” O'Dea, Pahrump, Nev.; three sisters, Eva Trimble, Fruita, Colo., Rosemarie “Rosie” (Wesley) Richmond, Rapid City, and Shirley (Bob) Baye, Box Elder.
    Mary was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Vincent, Lawrence, Thomas “Tom”, Melvin and Raymond O’Dea; and one sister, Dolores Hercher.
    Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Wednesday, March 23, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wall, with Father Tim Hoag as celebrant.
    Graveside services were held Wednesday at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
    Memorials are preferred to the Wall Public Library.
     Arrangements were with Rush Funeral Home of Wall.
     Her online guestbook is available at www.rushfuneralhome. com