Joyce Marie (Benson) Hansen – Alexandria, MN

Joyce Marie (Benson) Hansen was born September 14, 1936 in Elbow Lake, Minnesota to Algier and Goldie (Pratt) Benson. She graduated from Underwood High School. 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 Joy-ce’s famous sayings was “Wait ‘til you get there” letting her kids and others know that someday you will understand. Joyce passed away Friday, March 3, 2023 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria at the age of 86. She is survived by children, Joy Hansen of Minnetonka, MN; Michele (Bill) Tighe of Minnetonka, MN; Jon Hansen of Alexandria, MN and Nathan Hansen of Alexandria, MN; grandchildren, Paige Tighe of St Paul, MN; Megan (Christian) Menger of Katy, TX; Paul Hansen of Lake Tahoe, CA; Grace (Scott) Reed-Hansen of Ashville, NC; great-grandchildren, Hanah (Brett) Fuchs, Hadlee, Holden Han-sen, Hannah Bakken, 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; 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 was at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Visitation was one hour prior to the service Saturday. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net