Mary Nebel Hansen

Mary Susan Nebel Hansen, affectionately known as Mary Sue, passed away on September 12, 2025, at the age of 89. A resident of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and a summer resident of Bay View, Michigan, she formerly lived in Munising, Michigan; Detroit, Michigan; Whitewater, Wisconsin; Madison, Wisconsin; Big Rapids, Michigan; and Petoskey, Michigan. She was born on November 5, 1935, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Alene Davis and Richard Westfield Nebel.

Mary Sue spent her idyllic childhood in Munising, graduating from Mather High School in 1953. During the polio pandemic, her summers were spent with family at Doe Lake. She was a vibrant part of her high school community, participating in music and theater. She was a member of the Tri-Hi-Y, Honor Society, Orpheus Club, Girls Athletic Association, and yearbook staff. In 1952, she was honored to win the Upper Peninsula Driver of the Year. Mary Sue loved and revered her family, and even after she moved away, her heart always remained in Munising. She made frequent trips home for holidays and special events.

Mary Sue earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Ferris State University and a Master’s Degree in Accountancy from Michigan State University. Always up for an adventure, she and a friend studied at the University of Hawaii during a portion of her college years. Mary Sue married Richard Hansen of Detroit on June 30, 1962. They shared a long and happy marriage of 62 years until Richard's passing in 2023. They raised three children—Karl, Philip, and Mary Alene—and tragically lost an infant son, Edward Nebel Hansen, in 1965.

Upon graduating from college, Mary Sue began her career as a business education teacher in Stockbridge, Michigan. She later moved to Detroit to teach at the High School of Commerce, where she met her future husband, Richard. She also taught accounting for many years at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

While Mary Sue enjoyed her career, her true passion was the many philanthropic organizations and clubs she belonged to where she made countless lifelong friends. She held leadership roles including president and officer, in many of these groups, which included: Delta Zeta, the Madison Bridge Club, the American Bridge Association (as a Life Master), the Madison Friends of International Students, The University League of Wisconsin, The Nakoma League, the Business Professional Women’s Organization, P.E.O., Panhellenic, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, and Zonta. She was also a founding member of the Big Rapids Investment Club, and a member of both the Bay View Woman’s Council and the Bay View Campus Club. She also served on the Big Rapids Housing Commission and volunteered for Artworks in Big Rapids. There are likely many more unknown to her family that she would want to name. Her commitment to her beloved summer community was evident in her long-standing service on numerous committees and the Board of Trustees for the Bay View Association, where she was a member for over 55 years.

Mary Sue was also passionate about the card game Bridge. What began as a social pastime with friends evolved into a more serious pursuit, with her traveling the country to play in large tournaments and earn Life Master points. She ultimately achieved her goal of becoming a Life Master of Bridge. Additionally, she taught Bridge for the Bay View Association during the summer, and to no one’s surprise, her students often became her friends.

Mary Sue loved to travel, learn about different cultures, and was curious about people from around the world. Her adventures took her to China, Thailand, Russia and many other countries in Europe. She and Richard also delighted in taking their children and grandchildren on Disney Cruises to Alaska, Scandinavia, and the Baltics to celebrate milestones like their 50th wedding anniversary and their 80th birthdays. In addition to her immediate family, she often traveled with her husband, her brother Charles, and her sister-in-law Mary, always returning home with wonderful stories of their shared adventures and some funny predicament they had found themselves in.

She also dearly loved her family and followed their academic and sports activities with a passion. She was a life long champion of education and ensured her children had the opportunity to continue their education after high school and created the same opportunities for her grandchildren. She also came to the aid of countless students and families who needed help financially or with advice.

Attending social events and being with her friends and family was a passion for Mary Sue. She also loved entertaining, often pushing the limits of patience with her family. Interacting with her many circles of friends (and family) truly made her happy.

Mary Sue was a significant force in the lives of her family and friends and she will be missed dearly. Please consider honoring her memory by joining or being active in a local civic or educational organization.

Mary Sue was preceded in death by her husband Richard Hansen, son Edward Hansen, parents Alene and Richard Westfield Nebel, mother-in-law Bertha Hansen, father-in-law Ede Hansen, sister Judith Nebel, brother Richard William Nebel, sister Nancy Palmer, brother-in-law Philip Palmer, brother-in-law Donald Hansen, sister-in-law Jean Hansen. She is survived by her children, Karl (Michelle) Hansen, Philip Hansen, Mary (James Michael) Flanigan, brother Charles Erwin(Mary) Nebel, brother-in-law Leonard (Paula) Hansen, grandchildren Sarita Hansen, Sabine Hansen, Sophie Hansen, Eleanor Flanigan, James Patrick Flanigan and Richie Flanigan. She is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews, Jennifer Carmody, Ted (Jen) Hansen, John (Kate) Hansen, Andrew (Alba) Hansen, Kelly Nebel, Charles Cameron (Denise) Nebel, Lauri (Joseph) Cullen, Mark Nebel, Richard Wallace (Jamie) Nebel, William Palmer, Camie (Chris) Conklin; grand nieces and nephews, Calvin Carmody, Nate Carmody, Spencer Carmody, Andrew Hansen, Annika Hansen, Owen Hansen, Joy Hansen, Marguerite (Joel) Weinert, Mark Cullen, Kyle (Samantha) Christian, Cameron (Amber) Nebel, Keegan (Leanne) Nebel, Chase Nebel, Kane Nebel, Isabella Nebel, Cole Nebel, Ava Nebel, Isabelle Nebel, Larsen Nebel, Brian Palmer, Owen Palmer, Quinn Palmer, Lucy Jo Palmer, Emma Conklin and Jack Conklin. Great grandnephews Theodore Weinert, Jones Christian, Ripley Christian and Jace Nebel. Great grandniece Eleanora Weinert.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to any of the following organizations that were important to Mary Sue.

• Bay View Association

  • Online: Donate to Bay View

  • Mail: P.O. Box 583, Petoskey, MI 49770

• United Methodist Church of Munising

  • Mail: 312 Lynn Street, Munising, MI 49862

• General Federation of Women's Clubs of Big Rapids (GFWC)

  • Mail: P.O. Box 1485, Big Rapids, MI 49307

• University League of Wisconsin

  • Mail: P.O. Box 5064, Madison, WI 53705

• Curative Connections of Green Bay

  • Online: Donate to Curative Connections

  • Mail: P.O. Box 8027, Green Bay, WI 54308

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Caretta Senior Living in Green Bay, Wisconsin for their excellent care and friendship. They would like to give special recognition to Madison and Emily.

The family also wishes to thank the medical team at Fresenius Kidney Care Lombardi for their excellent care. Dr. John Thurlow, Kylee, Bobby, Kelly and Fanette.

The family would also like to thank the Curative Connection transportation division for providing ride service to and from dialysis. This was a godsend to the family.

A visitation and service will be held on October 25, 2025 at the United Methodist Church of Munising, Michigan, 312 Lynn Street, Munising, MI, 49862. Visitation will begin at 1pm ET. The service will be held at 2pm ET. Luncheon to follow.