Loretta Marie (nee’ Drollinger) Hansen passed peacefully on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Loretta was born on July 11, 1933 in Milwaukee to Rudolph and Mary Drollinger.
Loretta is survived by her loving sons Jeffrey (Barb), Jack (Joan) and Steven. She is further survived by grandchildren Andy, Melanie, Chad, Brittany, Andrea, Angela, Madeline, Lucas and Isabella along with a number of great grandchildren. Loretta is preceded in death by husband Jack Walter Hansen, her son Scott Andrew Hansen and her brother Leo Drollinger.
Loretta was a devoted wife and mother. Her love for her four sons was ever present and unconditional. Time with her loving husband Jack was not wasted after Jack retired in 1976. Very often, they were either on a cruise or planning another adventure overseas.
Loretta lived a very active life. She enjoyed fishing, Packer games, cruising with family and friends, family trips for two weeks each summer to Lake Tomahawk, snowmobiling and boating, sheepshead, a bit of gambling, the State Fair and lots of time at her Florida condo at Ormond by the Sea, regular family gatherings along with many other activities.
Loretta was blessed with a long and full life with only a few years of declining health. She loved to keep her home in order and was a great German cook (Linze Torte, Spaetzle a specialty!). Later in life, she also had a very successful 20 year career managing several group homes. Loretta was always willing to try new things (driving a snowmobile in the early 1970’s!) and take some risks (Okauchee Lake real estate). For example, as a young lady she wrote several short stories that were sent to publishers in New York City. Although never published, she received favorable feedback and encouragement. She was smart, hard working and a bit headstrong in pursuit of those things she valued and believed.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church served as her spiritual home for nearly 50 years.
The Hansen family extends sincere thanks to all the staff and volunteers at Shorehaven Lutheran Homes who helped make Loretta’s last year’s comfortable and fulfilling.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
A gathering to celebrate her life will begin at 9am on April 23rd at the Shorehaven Chapel (3rd floor) with a remembrance service to follow at 10:00am. Private interment will follow at Wisconsin Memorial Park.