Daniel D. Hansen, 6
A funeral service for Daniel D. Hansen took place Monday morning, July 5, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, with Pastor Bart Mueller officiating. Interment was at Delafield Cemetery, Delafield Township, Jackson County. Danny passed away, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday June 30, 2010.
Casket bearers were Brad Hansen Cole Rossow, Jeff Edelman and Kevin Rossow. Danny’s friends and family were honorary casket bearers. Special music was provided by Kent and Ardis Mickelson. Marlene Hendricksen was organist. Osterberg-Hansen Funeral Service handled the funeral arrangements.
Daniel Duane Hansen, the son of Duane and Cyndi (Zinniel) Hansen, was born on Aug. 28, 2003, in Worthington. Danny attended preschool at Immanuel Lutheran School in Lakefield, and finished kindergarten through the Minneapolis Public School system. On July 17, 2009, Danny was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After his diagnosis, Danny spent 142 days at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he spent time as an honorary security guard helping to make sure the hospital was safe. Then on Dec. 6, 2009, Danny was moved to the Ronald McDonald House on the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus, where he could be seen meandering through the hallways in his cowboy boots, jeans, western shirt and cowboy hat. He was quite the sight to see. On March 18, 2010, after 103 days in the Ronald McDonald house, Danny was moved to the University of Minnesota Hospital, where he continued to charm the doctors and nurses with his personality. His attitude toward life and his illness was passed on to other patients, giving them the courage to keep fighting.
Danny was baptized at St. Peter Lutheran Church on Sept. 14, 2003, by the Rev. Bart Mueller. Danny had a glowing, infectious personality that made an impression on every person he met. Though his time was short, his outgoing spirit and charming attitude touched more people than we could ever imagine. Danny let everyone know that who he was, was not changed by the fact that he had cancer, “So I have cancer. That’s life.” Danny loved farming and animals. In fact, he taught his brother everything he knew about them. He loved to go hunting with his brother and their trusty hunting dog, Snuggles. He loved riding tractors with his Uncle Brad, working in the shop with his Grandpa Bob, camping with his Nana and Papa Zinniel, and he loved watching fireworks with his buddy, Al. Danny raised chickens and sold their eggs; he loved his grandma’s sugar cookies, and he always managed to get people to smile, even if they were having a bad day. Danny always knew what he wanted; he was famous for saying, “I write my own book!” Well, here’s to the next chapter.
Danny is survived by his parents, Duane and Cyndi Hansen, and brother, Mikey of Lakefield; maternal grandparents, Bob and Alice Zinniel of Sleepy Eye; paternal grandmother, Lucille Hansen of Lakefield; his uncle, Brad Hansen, and his friend, Jen Ehlers, and her daughter, Mackenzie; his Aunt Carmen and Uncle Glenn Peterson of Parker, S.D.; and his Aunt Brenda and Uncle “Butch” Brey and cousins, Morgan and Courtney of New Ulm.
Danny was preceded in death by his grandpa, Stuart Hansen; special cousin, John Behrens; and special friend, Al Kolander.
Blessed be the memory of Daniel Duane Hansen.
