Sandra (Sandy) Kay Hansen, 66, passed away February 4, 2022 peacefully with her family by her side at the Mayo Clinic Health System, in La Crosse, WI, from complications of congestive heart failure.

She was born on January 7, 1956 to Anna Bernice (Eddy) and Francis (“Frank”) Loughan Sr., and grew up in La Crosse WI. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse, and later became a confirmed member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Holmen WI.  Sandy graduated from Logan High School in 1974 and attended WWTI.

Sandy married Daniel Hansen on April 26, 1980 in La Crosse, WI, and they had one daughter, Sarah Ann (Hansen) Schlesner.  Sandy worked at the La Crosse Rubber Mills for over 25 years, and then worked as a lab technician at Great Lake Cheese in La Crosse for many years.

Sandy found enjoyment in deer hunting, fishing, gardening, spending time with family and friends, driving around the countryside, and being out in the woods.  Sandy was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, liked nature shows and Star Trek, and always had a cold Diet Coke in her hand.

Sandy was proud of her Norwegian heritage (on her mom’s side) and Irish heritage (on her dad’s side).  Every year, she enjoyed a weekend of Christmas baking with her sister Deb Crowley and nieces Sherry Taylor and Becca De Haro, making the family favorite treats and cookies, including Norwegian sunbakkle cookies.

Sandy was a First Responder on French Island, WI and at her places of work. In 2015, she was recognized as “A HERO” by the Seven Rivers Chapter of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association for saving the life of a man who had a cardiac arrest.

Sandy is survived by her beloved daughter Sarah Schlesner, granddaughter Emma Schlesner, grandson Jack Schlesner, brothers Paul (Margaret “Peg”) Mercer and Francis “Frank”, “Butch” (Donna) Loughan Jr., sister Debra (Thomas) Crowley, special niece Sherry (Jeff) Taylor, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, along with cats Buddy and Misty.

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband Daniel Hansen, her parents, infant sister Jean Loughan, brother Thomas Loughan, sister-in-law Carol Clark, special uncle Harold Eddy, and significant other Don Krajewski.

Visitation will be held at Coulee Region Cremation Group, 133 Mason Street, Onalaska WI at  1:00 pm, Sunday, February 13, 2022. Monsignor Steven Kachel will lead the prayer service at 1:30 pm.  A luncheon at the Gathering Place will follow the prayer service, with time to visit and share memories of Sandy.

A private family burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery at a later date.

Sandy’s family would like to thank family and friends for their continued love and support of Sandy, along with her care team at Mayo Clinic Health System La Crosse WI and the staff at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Franciscan in La Crosse WI for their excellent and compassionate care.

Memorials are suggested to North American Squirrel Association (provides outdoor fun for seniors and the physically challenged: PO Box 186, Holmen, WI  54636), Coulee Region Humane Society (911 Critter Court, Onalaska, WI  54650), American Heart Association, or charity of your choice.

Thanks to the Coulee Region Cremation Group for their assistance.

For online condolences, please visit  www.couleecremation.com