Mary Ann (Mast) Hansen, age 78, of Traverse City, Michigan, died on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 with her devoted husband by her side. Mary Ann was born on April 7, 1946 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to the late Carl and Anne Mast.
Mary Ann was raised on her parents’ dairy farm on Mast Road in Dexter, Michigan, and grew up with the hard work and adventures of farm life in a family that honored their German heritage. She enjoyed many hours exploring the farm fields with her dogs and her horse, and getting into mischief with her best friend, Carol Duncan Poore. Mary Ann graduated from Dexter High School in 1964, and received a full scholarship to study at The University of Michigan. After a year, she changed course and enrolled at Bronson Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Kalamazoo, and graduated first in her class as a Registered Nurse in 1968.
During nursing school, she was introduced by her best friend to her future husband, Gary B. Hansen. They married in 1968, and spent 56 years together. In 1969, they moved to Traverse City for Gary to start his teaching career, while she began her career at the Traverse City Osteopathic Hospital. Mary Ann loved her time as a nurse, and was a dedicated professional in the emergency room, and then Munson Urgent Care, until her retirement in 2008.
Travel was a favorite past time for Mary Ann. She visited all 50 states, took 8 trips to Europe, visited the Middle East and Central America, participated in two international medical missions to Africa and Guatemala, and was fortunate to spend many winters in Mexico, Maui, and Florida. She was passionate about her family, volunteerism, land conservancy, women’s issues, and politics, encouraging everyone to vote, even in her last days. She also loved handicrafts, flower gardening, reading, sports and the Michigan State Spartans.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Gary, two daughters, Tara Hansen and Trisha (Todd) Pickett, two grandsons, Zachary and Owen Benes, sister Linda (Ron) Kociba, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers David and Robert, her sisters Kathryn, Joan, and Jean, and grandson, Willy.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing caregivers at Munson Palliative and Hospice Care, and many special friends for their loving attention and support.
A memorial service honoring Mary Ann will be held at The Presbyterian Church of Traverse City, located at 701 Westminster Road, on September 28, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10:30, with a service at noon, followed by a coffee hour.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial donation to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy or Munson Hospice House.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Mary Ann’s family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
