Kay Louise (Hefty) Hansen, age 82, of the Mount Horeb and Blue Mounds area, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on August 1, 1944, in Madison, Wis., to Paulus and Helen (Huseth) Hefty. Kay lived her entire life in the Mount Horeb and Blue Mounds area, where she built a life centered around family, home, and the simple joys of country living.

Kay married the love of her life, Royce Hansen, on September 10, 1960. Together, they raised four sons: Kevin (Roxane), Dale, Steve (Kim), and Lyle (Janna).

Raising four active boys kept Kay busy-and, as her family would say, very busy. When she wasn't busy being a wife and mother, she worked for many years at the Mount Horeb Pharmacy and later at Hoff Mall Antiques until her retirement.

Kay found joy in the simple things. She loved gardening, working in her flower beds, reading, and doing puzzles. Having lived in the country her entire life, there was perhaps nothing she loved more than being outside-barefoot, of course. She was happiest surrounded by the familiar comforts of home, family, and the beauty of the outdoors.

Kay's greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her husband, Royce; her four sons, Kevin (Roxane), Dale, Steve (Kim), and Lyle (Janna); and her 11 grandchildren: Lori, Paul (Ashley), Scott, Matthew (McKenzie), Lynsey, Chris (Skylar), Amy (Mitch), Morgan (Dakota), Mikaela (Sam), Erik, and Madelyn. She was also a beloved great-grandmother to Bentley, Braelyn, Oliver, Waylon, Reid, Roselyn, Rhett, and Annie Kay; and an aunt to many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paulus and Helen (Huseth) Hefty; brother, Dean (Jeanne) Hefty; parents-in-law, Harold and Hazel (Fingerson) Hansen, sisters-in-law, Meredith (Ron) Hoffmaster and Alice (Hilbert) Simmons; and her great-granddaughter, Kay Alyce.

Kay carried with her the wise words of her father, which became her favorite saying and a reflection of the way she lived her life: “Just do your best, and that's the best you can do.”

Those words will remain with her family as a reminder of Kay's quiet strength, her love for her family, and the life she lived with devotion and simplicity.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Greenway Manor and UW Hospital for the care, compassion, and kindness they provided to Kay during her final months.

A private burial will be held with family at East Blue Mounds Lutheran Cemetery, followed by an intimate Celebration of Life at home.

Kay will be deeply missed and forever loved by the family she devoted her life to.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077

Kay Louise Hansen

August 01, 1944 - August 25, 2026

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