Irene A. Hansen, 88, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, at Thorne Crest Retirement Community.

She was born April 15, 1928, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Chris and Johanna (Kjar) Andersen. She graduated from Albert Lea High School. On May 5, 1948, Irene married Harlen Hansen. She worked as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell. Irene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Telephone Pioneers, Danish Brotherhood, Meals on Wheels and Bridge Club. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, quilting, soap operas and dancing.  She particularly enjoyed taking care of her grandkids and baking with them.

Irene is survived by her children, Debbie (Gary) Cunningham, Barbara (Tony) Hanson, and Jerome (Vicky) Hansen; grandchildren, Kate (Bob) Schlagel, Bryan (Evie) Cunningham, Andy (fiancé, Marie Grund) Hansen, and Amy (Tom) Schafer; great-grandchildren, Ava, Addie, Lia, Eli, Logan, and Elsie; sisters, Hannah Powell and Evy (Ben) Burns; sister-in-law, Irma Petersen; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harlen; parents-in-law, Jacob and Katherine Hansen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Herbert and Evie Hansen, Myrna and Barney Frazier, Elmer and Aileen Hansen, Virgil Petersen and Fred Powell; and great-grandson, Robert Schlagel.

Memorial services for Irene will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. The Rev. Dwight Netzer will officiate. Friends may greet the family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Memorials are preferred to Mayo Health Systems Albert Lea Hospice.