Merton John Hansen passed away in Rochester, Minnesota on February 3, 2024, he was 88 years old. He was born to Merton and Elsie Hansen on September 3, 1935 in St. Paul, Minnesota. His family moved to a farm near Deer Park, Wisconsin where he grew up. Mert attended Amery High School and continued his education at UW River Falls, graduating in 1958. He and Joanne Paulson married on August 30, 1958 at East Immanuel Lutheran Church. After graduating, Mert began a lifelong career in the agricultural industry, first working for Doboy Industries in New Richmond as a chemist. Mert and Joanne raised three children, Sandra (Kevin Parker), Mark (Melanie) and Betsy. Eventually, the family moved to Southern Minnesota with Rochester becoming home for the past 40+ years.