Geraldine G. Hansen

Geraldine “Shae” Gesena (Hartmann) Hansen, 88 of Pender, NE passed away on October 8, 2025, at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE. Per her wishes Shae was cremated, and no local services will be held. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Shae was born on October 20, 1937, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of Heie and Sena (DeWall) Hartmann. Shae was raised on a farm near Pocahontas, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at the American Lutheran Church of Gilmore City, where she developed a lifelong faith and appreciation for the teachings of Reverend F.A. Steege.

She attended rural school through fourth grade and graduated from Rolfe High School in 1956. Shae continued her education at Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) and began teaching at Schleswig Community School in 1958. What was meant to be a one-year job became a lifelong passion. She later earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Morningside College in Sioux City in 1976.

On December 27, 1959, Shae married Richard Hansen at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. They were blessed with two children, Samantha Ann and Richard Scott, and shared 28 years together filled with love, family, and community involvement. After Richard’s passing in 1987, Shae continued teaching until retiring in 2000, later returning part-time to teach in the TAG (Talented and Gifted) program until 2007.

Shae was active in her community and her church, serving on the Schleswig City Council and participating in choir, Evening Guild, church council, and other committees at the United Church of Christ. She was also a member of the IRSPA and the Red Hat Society.

She loved golfing, traveling, tending to her flowers, and spending time with her family—especially her four “Grandies,” who she called the breeze beneath her wings: Caleb Hansen, Mikayla Shae, Madison Gray, and Caden Hansen.

Shae is survived by her daughter Samantha (Glen) Brach and granddaughter Mikayla (Thomas) Berta; her son Scott (Abigail) Hansen and grandchildren Caleb (Brianna) Hansen, Madison (Joshua) Gray, and Caden Hansen; great-granddaughters Kate Collins Gray and Isla Hansen; sisters-in-law Paula (Tim) Hansen, and Gaylene (Carl) Lee; brother-in-law Roger (Patti) Koch; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Richard, her brother, Robert, and her sisters, Carolyn and Joyce.