Pastor Mary E. Hansen of Thief River Falls, MN age 73, died suddenly on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN as a result of cardiac arrest. At the time of her death Pastor Mary was serving as pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in St. Hilaire, MN. The Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Pastor Mary E. Hansen will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 28, 2014 at Calvary Lutheran Church in St. Hilaire, MN with Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Wohlrabe, Bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, presiding. Mary Eileen Sears was born on February 18, 1941 the daughter of Kenneth and Grace Eileen (Schneider) Sears. She was baptized and confirmed at the Leeds United Methodist Church in Sioux City, IA. Mary attended elementary school in Sioux City, IA and graduated from Leeds High School in 1959. She then attended and graduated from Simpson College in Indianola, IA and attended her junior year abroad at the University of Hull in England. In 1964 she married David Farris and they lived overseas in Japan, Thailand, Hawaii and the Philippines. Three children were born to this union, Dawn, Heather and Kevin. Following their divorce, Mary and their children moved to Sioux City, IA. While attending Immanuel Lutheran Church there, Mary met her future husband, Pastor Carl Hansen who was serving that congregation. On January 2, 1972, they were united in marriage at Immanuel Lutheran Church and they made their home in West Des Moines, IA. On June 18, 1973, Pastor Carl legally adopted Dawn, Heather and Kevin. In 1974, Mary earned a Masters in Social Work from the University of Iowa. In 1976 Pastor Carl accepted a call at Our Lord's Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City, OK. While there, Mary started to prepare for her service in the ministry by attending classes at The Graduate Seminary of Phillip's University in Enid, OK and also at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Mary went to Chicago for nine months for her internship. Following her internship, Pastor Mary served as Interim Pastor at Atonement Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City. In 1984, Pastors Mary and Carl received calls to serve as co-pastors at Lord Of Life Lutheran Church in The Woodlands, TX. In 1989, Pastors Mary and Carl were called as co-pastors at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon, IA and in 1994, Pastor Mary served as interim pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Carroll, IA and Christ Lutheran Church in Jefferson, IA. In 1995, Pastors Mary and Carl received calls to serve as co-pastors at Britton Lutheran Parish in Britton, SD. In 2002, they received calls to serve as co-pastors at The United In Christ Lutheran Parish in Fertile, MN. In 2005, Pastor Mary retired for health reasons and in 2011 Pastors Mary and Carl moved to Thief River Falls, MN. In 2011, Pastor Mary became interim pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in St. Hilaire, MN where she served until her passing. Pastor Mary loved music; she was an English major and music minor in college. She performed in operas in college and sang with the Houston Symphony Chorale. She was a perfectionist, was an excellent cook, enjoyed singing at the many churches which she served, and was a passionate person with a strong concern for social justice. While living in Thief River Falls, she enjoyed volunteering at the Northwest Regional Library. Pastor Mary loved God, music and her family. Survivors include her loving husband of 42 years, Pastor Carl Hansen of Thief River Falls, MN; children, Dawn (Ross) Bryant of Thedford, NE, Heather Burrier of Thief River Falls, MN, and Kevin (Michele Sestak-Hansen) Hansen of Seguin, TX; grandchildren, Ariel and Aidan Bryant, Amber and Megan Burrier, Noelle and Danielle Hansen, and Christopher and Chelsea Sestak; brother, David (Jeannie) Sears of Sioux City, IA; niece, Julie (Matt) Thomsen and their son, Jamie; brother-in-law, Steve Hansen of LaHonda, CA; and many friends. She is preceded in death by her parents.