Birth: 18 Feb 1887 in Forslev,Haslev,Soro,Denmark
Death: 7 May 1956 in Fairfax,Renville Co,Minnesota
Burial: 11 May 1956 Litchfield,Meeker Co,Minnesota,USA

Records say buried in Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield. findagrave says Ripley Cemetery is now called Lichfield Cemetery. So Jens P. and Evangeline Hansen are probably there.

From; a tombstone in Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, Minnesota, August 1990.
JENS P. HANSEN
1887-1956

Note: The biography is a work in progress. Please contribute or correct any mistakes. Thanks, Martha-Lisa Mode Flinsch
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Jens Peder Hansen was born February 18, 1887 at Haslev, Denmark. He married Vange, (Hattie Evangeline Hanson), June 14, 1916 at Litchfield, Minnesota. He farmed the old Hansen home place in Santiago township, Sherburne County, Minnesota. They lost the farm about 1940 and moved to Litchfield and farmed there until his death. He died May 7, 1956 at Fairfax, Renville County, Minnesota and was buried in Ripley Cemetery of Litchfield, Minnesota. Jens Peder Hansen and Hattie Evangeline Hanson had three children
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From; Helen Hansen, May 7, 1989:

"Jens P. Hansen born in Denmark. In 1892 came to America with parents. Settled on a farm near Santiago, engaged in farming with father. When married. Vange moved in with family - (father, retarded brother. Christian, and Waldy). Later father died of cancer and Waldy married but they (Jens P. and Vange) kept Christian most of their married life as Jens P. mother Maren, made Jens P. promise on her death bed that he would keep Christian which I'm sure kind of spoiled their married life.

After father Jens died, Jens P. had much trouble in settling the estate and Lowell Jens was born premature. Lowell lived about 2 months. Jens P. did very well farming and milking cows and he was known as 'the little man with the big check'. Later, 1920, he decided to build a big barn, 36x100, and milk 40 cows. It cost $7,000 (borrowes agian the farm) which was a lot of money then. He borrowed - no rain, poor crops. Lost the farm about 1940 to Federal Land Bank, walked away with nothing.

About 1941 moved to 80 acre farm in Greenleaf Township, Meeker County. Vange was ill much of this time - discovered it was gall bladder - had surgery and was much improved in health. Jens P. developed cataracts on both eyes and had them (cataracts) removed. This 80 acre farm was purchased from Eugene's wife grandmother. Helen was rural school teacher. Jens P. farmed here until about 1955. After Jens P. death, Vange went to Minneapolis and worked at Methodist Home. Jens died of a heart attack."
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From; a death annoucement card.
"In Memory Of JENS P. HANSEN
Born February 18, 1887
Passed away May 7, 1956
Services at Erickson Funeral Home Litchfield, Minnesota
Friday, May 11, 1956 at 1:30 P.M.
Clergyman Rev. Edward Shannon
Music
Mrs. F. Edwin Nelson, Organist
Mr. Carl L. Anderson, Soloist
Bearers
Paul Lee William Summerfeld
Lewis Putzier Harry Rosenow
Hjalmer Soder Albert Rathke
Interment Ripley Cemetery
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Condensed from Verna Harris's story of her mother "Anna" Hansen and the Hansen family:
Ane "Anna" Hansen Christianson Daughter of Jens Hansen
Verna Marian Christianson Harris Grandaughter of Jens Hansen

... She ["Anna" Hansen"] was 16 years old when they came to the new land, so she remembered it well. It must have been a nearly impossible hardship for mother Maren [Maren Sophie Jeppesen Hansen Wife of Jens Hansen] to get ready a family of 11 [nine children, 2 parents] for moving. And she was to leave her homeland and her own family behind. Mama said they lived in a long low house, and Maren's mother, Grandmother Jeppsen lived in a couple rooms at one end. She was blind and all the children loved her. They quarreled with each other about taking a bowl of soup that their mother had made for her. For the chance to go over to sweep her floor or do little chores for her. Mama often got to go because she was older. I have wondered who cared for her after the family left.

If it were a hardship for grandmother Maren. It must have been a most challenging task for grandpa Jens, who had to have a sale, keep and pack the most necessary clothing, tools, and household goods for 12 people, one a small baby. He bought 11 tickets so I assume the baby was carried on. Aunt Fanny [Fanny Emilie Hansen Mode Daughter of Jens Hansen] was the baby. I suppose that they boarded a liner in Copenhagen, and it was large, a 5-deck ship.

Mama talked about the trip over durinq our Cando winters, and I wish now that I had asked more questions. They had a space on the third deck with their trunks and belongings packed around them. Her mother had brought two large kettles along and each day made a large pot of soup or stew. Grandpa could buy supplies at the ship's store, and there was a huge coal range that the passengers could use. I'm sure that they had to carry their own water and dispose of their waste which went overboard in those days. People couldn't keep very clean, and Mama said the smells were almost overwhelming. They were even worse when they went by the 4th deck stairs and bilge area. They were not supposed to go up on deck. But Mama said they did sneak up for a breath of fresh air when they could. Their crossing was not too rough, but most of the passengers got motion sickness anyway. It lasted over two weeks and then they were quarantined at Ellis Inland for three days. That was as bad or worse than the voyage, Mama said.
...
Jens was the son who stayed on the farm and kept it going. He started a herd of Holsteins and made it into a dairy farm. He married Evangenline (Aunt Vangie to us), and they had two boys, Eugene and Leslie.
...
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Jens P. and Vang were the caregivers of the family. They cared for Jens Hansen in his later years as his health failed. They cared for other Hansen children until they left home. They cared for "Christian" Hansen almost all his life. Sometimes families do not always agree on how to care for members that need caring for, but great praise must be given to those who do the job every day. - Martha-Lisa Mode Flinsch October, 2014
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