Leona M. Hansen, 75, a retired waitress of the Kahler Hotel, died on Friday, Sept. 9, 2011 at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester after a lengthy illness.

Leona was born in Austin on Aug. 16, 1936 to Olaf and Nellie (Weed) Paulson. She moved to Rochester in 1953. Leona married Wayne Hansen on Jan. 2, 1955 in Austin, MN. After retirement, they worked summers for Hamilton Stores in Yellowstone National Park for 10 years. She was a member of Autumn Ridge Church. Leona enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family.

Leona is survived by two children, Bruce (Ki) Hansen, of Rochester, and Gary (Marie) Hansen, of Rochester; four grandchildren, Wayne (Tina) Hansen, of Rochester, Jeremy Hansen, of Portland, Ore., James (Elizabeth) Hansen, of Rochester, and David Hansen, of Rochester; a brother, Fred Paulson, of Austin; two sisters, Darlene Hanson, of Austin, and Betty Dockham, of Circle Pines; and four great granddaughters and one great grandson.

Leona is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; and her parents.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011 at Autumn Ridge Church, 3611 Salem Rd. SW. with Rev. C. John Steer officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home and from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the church. Burial will take place at Grandview Memorial Gardens.