Barbara Marie Hansen, age 90, of Cashton, WI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, WI.
She was born on January 14, 1936, in Sparta, WI to Ora and Mabel (Schamens) Olson. She attended public school in Sparta through 10th grade. Her parents moved to Cashton when she was in 9th grade and she wanted to stay in Sparta, so she lived with her aunt and uncle, Opal & Everett Schamens for two years. She joined her family in Cashton for 11th & 12th grade and graduated from Cashton High School in 1953.
Barb met her future husband, Carlton “Dick” Hansen, through mutual friends. They were wed on October 26, 1957 in La Crosse and were married for 31 short years before Carlton passed at the age of 64 in 1988.
She worked as a bookkeeper at Grandview Hospital in La Crosse and Hundt Implement in Cashton after graduating high school. When the children had all started school, she started work as a clerk for the United States Postal Service in Cashton. In 1987, she was promoted to the position of Postmaster there. Barb loved her job with the USPS! She loved meeting & talking with everyone who came in to buy stamps or mail a package. She retired from her career in 1998. Carlton and Barbara also owned Hansen Oil Company for many years until Carlton’s passing.
In 1972, Dick and Barb purchased their 20-acre hobby farm on the outskirts of Cashton. There they raised cattle, tobacco, corn, and hay. They built their new home there in 1978-79 and Barb continued to live there until her passing.
The couple liked to camp with family and friends as well as hosting card games in their home. Barb loved to sew and made most of her children’s clothing while they were young. She and Dick always had a large garden and Barb canned and froze that bounty. She loved playing Scrabble and enjoyed reading. Passing her love for reading on to her children and grandchildren. Barb was a great cook and baker. Her home cooked meals, especially her meatballs (with lefse), her beef, her meatloaf, and everything she made were delicious. She was famous for her fudge which she made for Christmas each year and donated to the Cashton Memorial Library for their fundraising auction. She made scrumptious peanut butter cups, seven-layer bars, and white sugar cookies. Her desserts were the grand finale to any meal.
Barb found time to volunteer with the American Legion Auxilliary, the Altar Society at Sacred Heart Church, the Cashton Memorial Library, the Cashton Closet & Cupboard and wherever she was needed. She served on the Boards at both the Library and Closet & Cupboard.
Barb is survived by her children Debra (Art) Wilkening of Onalaska, Michael Hansen of Cashton, Susan Hansen of Cashton, Carol Jean (Mark) Kirchner of Mindoro and Peter (Kristie) Hansen of Coon Valley; grandchildren, Michele (John) Romanshek, Ryan (Kassandra) Wilkening, Nicole Johnson, Lindsay Hansen, Danielle (Garrett) Earley, Hailey (Drake) Frideres, Samantha (Fiancé Dylan Des Rochers) Hansen, Katherine Kirchner, and Kyle Hansen, great-grandchildren, Tye & Theo Romanshek, Colin & Carter Johnson, Lainey & Brandt Frideres & Winnie Earley, siblings, Mary (Jim Giles) Olson, Donna McWaters, Jerry (Terry) Olson, David (Patricia) Olson, and Dennis Olson, along with many nieces, nephews, and special friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carlton Hansen; parents, Ora & Mabel Olson; In-laws, Peter & Anna Hansen; siblings, Eugene (Alice) Olson, Joyce (Roy) Berge, Allan Olson, and Elaine (Oscar) Willger.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 17, 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cashton. Father Matthew Bowe will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with rosary beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton. Additional visitation for Barb will be held on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to The Cashton Closet & Cupboard, Cashton Memorial Library or Sacred Heart School which were near and dear to Barb’s heart.
The family would like to thank their sister Susan, who lovingly shared a home with mom and took care of her with loving care until her passing.
The Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
