Laura Hansena Johnsen was born in rural Newell, Iowa on November 18, 1908 to Lars Frederick Johnsen and Carrie Christina Nielsen. On October 5, 1932, Laura was united in marriage to Louis Andreas Hansen in Chicago, Illinois. Their union was blessed with one son, Donald.

Laura was a devoted wife and mother who delighted in keeping a warm and comfortable home for her family. She enjoyed cooking and baking and was well-known for her egg coffee, yardstick pastries, pies, rye bread, Christmas cookies and lime pickles. Spending time with friends and family always made her happy. In 1942, Laura and Louis moved to the white house west of Newell.

Laura was a life-long member of Nain Lutheran Church in Newell, and active in the Ladies Aid there. She survived cancer to live to 96 and a half years of age. She was a charter member of the Married Meeters Club.

Laura liked to take good care of her lawn, mowing it regularly, and simply hated dandelions. She enjoyed gardening, watching Lawrence Welk and Chicago Cubs games on television, listening to polka time on the radio, collecting pigs and salt and pepper shakers and playing cards. She was always ready to go on a ride. Laura especially liked eating out at the former Ken-A-Bob Buffet in Storm Lake.

Her family was her treasure and she loved spending time with them all, but especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Donald Soren Hansen and his wife Carol of Newell; grandchildren: Heidi and her husband Rod Bramble of Newell and Jeremy and wife Trisha Hansen of Newell; great-grandchildren: Leia, Tara, Nathan and Laura Mae Hansen; her special nieces and nephews; many other relatives and a host of friends.

Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Louis A. Hansen; her parents; six brothers: Chris, Julian, Martin, Hans, Alfred and Fred; and six sisters: Minnie, Carrie, Anna, Hannah, Elvena, and Mary.