Joyce Marie Hansen

Joyce Marie (Benson) Hansen was born on September 14, 1936, in Elbow Lake, Minnesota to Algier and Goldie (Pratt) Benson.  She graduated from Underwood High School.  On July 24, 1954 Joyce married her best friend and the love of her life, Paul Hansen. To this union five children were born: Scott, Joy, Michele, Holly, and Jon. After Paul’s discharge from the United States Marines, the growing family settled in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota.

In 1967 Joyce and Paul purchased a dry cleaning store in Hopkins, Minnesota.  They opened several other locations, buying and selling stores in the Twin Cities and Rochester areas.  In 1978 Paul and Joyce purchased American Cleaners in Alexandria and in 1979 their move was complete when the family moved to Alexandria. American Cleaners was operated by Paul and Joyce until they retired and sold the business to their son, Nathan in 2002.  

Joyce regularly opened their home with love and support to others. Joyce enjoyed watching hummingbirds, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, horseback riding, and taking trips with her girlfriends. She and Paul enjoyed traveling in their RV and being at their trailer on Lake Mary. They loved wintering in Mesa, Arizona.  One of Joyce’s famous sayings was “Wait ‘til you get there” letting her kids and others know that someday you will understand.

Joyce passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023, at Knute Nelson in Alexandria at the age of 86.  She is survived by children, Joy Hansen, Minnetonka, MN, Michele (Bill) Tighe, Minnetonka, MN, Jon Hansen, Alexandria, MN, Nathan Hansen, Alexandria, MN; Grandchildren, Paige Tighe, St Paul, MN, Megan (Christian) Menger, Katy, TX, Paul Hansen, Lake Tahoe, CA, Grace (Scott) Reed-Hansen, Ashville, NC; Great-Grandchildren, Hanah (Brett) Fuchs, Hadlee, Holden Hansen, Hannah Bakken and Oliver, Patrick, Thomas, and Florian Menger, Everett, and Rosie Reed-Hansen; and one great-great-granddaughter expected in August; brother, David (Elaine) Benson of Hill City, MN, and Dennis Benson of Pahrump, NV; and many nieces and nephews.  Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Paul; daughter, Holly; son, Scott; daughter-in-law, Jennifer; parents, Algier and Goldie; and sister, Randine Leitch. 

A Funeral Service will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday.