Iva Hansen

Iva J. (Janisch) Hansen, formerly of Green Bay, passed away on July 13, 2021 at Aspirus Wausau Hospitals.

Iva was born March 14th, 1924. She was the daughter of Charles and Magdalene (Kocsicko) Janisch and the twin sister of Ila Goetsch.

Iva married Max L. Hansen in 1971 and moved to Green Bay, a city she loved.

Iva grew up on a farm in the Town of Maine, playing and working with her twin sister and seven other siblings. As a child of immigrant parents, family was very important to the Janisch family. Her big family knew how to work hard and also have fun. Ivy began a 38 year career in retail at Winkelman’s department store in the cosmetic department. When H.C. Prange’s came to Wausau in the 1960’s, Iva was hired to manage the cosmetic department. After she married Max, she transferred to the Green Bay Prange store. At retirement, she held the position of assistant buyer.

Iva enjoyed a full and active life. She golfed in a league into her 80’s, skied, skated, fished and hunted. She also enjoyed reading, walking, traveling, and playing cards with family and her card club. She was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and was thrilled to have season tickets. She also enjoyed watching the women’s UWGB Phoenix basketball team. Iva was a member of Honor Chapter No. 1, Order of the Eastern Star and Ajeb Temple No. 156, Daughters of the Nile. She stayed active during her retirement with volunteer efforts at the Weidner Center, Brown County Library, Brown County Election Committee, Bethesda, and Calvary Lutheran church.

Although Ivy had no children of her own, she was like a mom to the children of her twin, Ila. Her memory will live on with nieces; Pam (Whitey) Steinagel, Debra (Mark) Hadley, and Roxane (Loren) Worden as well as nephews; Gary (Sharon) Goetsch, Tom (Bev) Goetsch, and Jeff Goetsch (Angie) and their children. She is further survived by step daughter-in-law Janice Hansen along with many wonderful nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

Iva was the last surviving member of her generation in her family, having been preceded in death by her husband Max, her four sisters; Ila Goetsch, Emmile Ringle, Ruth Stencil, and Violet Kalawinski, along with her four brothers; Carl, Emil, Walter and Robert Janisch. Stepsons Noel and Jan Hansen, stepdaughter Maxine Johnson and stepson-in-law Ronald Johnson also preceded Iva in death.

Funeral services will be on Saturday July 17th at the Brainard Funeral Home- Everest Chapel; 5712 Memorial Ct; Weston, WI, 54476. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until the time of services at 2:30 pm. Burial will be in Nicolet Memorial Gardens, Green Bay, WI.

Brainard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Special thanks to “twinners” Tyler and Dr. Tim Hadley for their constant love and support. Additional thanks goes to the Aspirus Palliative Care unit for the kind, dedicated and professional care Iva received in her last days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Honor Chapter OES and mailed to Bonnie Kohn, 686 Cabots Point Rd; Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. Monies received will go to Pets For Vets in Iva’s name.

Iva was one in a million and will be greatly missed.