Hansen, Stafford Owen

June 1, 1939—November 25, 2014

Stafford Hansen of Minneapolis Minnesota spent his freshman year at Grinnell. He lived in Cowles Hall and was on the lighting crew for the December 1957 production of “Ahmal and the Night Visitors.” Later he obtained his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota.

After working in Minneapolis he moved to Farmington, Minnesota where he purchased a Red Owl grocery store and then to Spring Valley, Minnesota, where he bought another Red Owl store. After selling these stores, Stafford worked in real estate, insurance, the lumber business, and as the dairy manager for another grocery store.

He was involved in the community as an elected member of the Spring Valley School Board and the Filmore County Board of Commissioners. Stafford also was an active member of the local Catholic Church, Kiwanis Club, garden club, community theater and chamber of commerce. Stafford loved bicycling, skiing, walking, working in the garden and playing bridge.

While working at a Minneapolis Red Owl grocery store, he met and fell in love with Loretta Kay Landy, and they were married on September 16, 1961. She and their five children survive him along with 18 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two sisters and one brother.

Stafford died in hospice care after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Duane W. Krohnke