Myrna "Mitzie" Jo (Trotter) Hansen

Myrna “Mitzie” Jo (Trotter) Hansen, 85, of Sun City, Arizona, passed away after a brief illness on December 18, 2025. Mitzie was born September 21, 1940, in the unincorporated community of Loretto, Nebraska, to Joseph and Mabel Trotter. Mitzie went to school when she was young in a one room schoolhouse and later attended and graduated from Albion High School where she met the man she would marry.

On July 3, 1958, in Columbus, Nebraska, Myrna married the love of her life, Herbert T. Hansen. Together they built a life across the Midwest, living in Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Fremont, Wayne, and Lincoln, Nebraska. Mitzie and Herb raised their three children in Fremont and Wayne, NE, where they both worked for the state of Nebraska for many years before retiring to Sun City, Arizona in 1997. Herb and Mitzie shared an amazing 68 years of marriage, and Herb survives her in Sun City.

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents, Joeseph and Mabel Trotter, her stepfather, Francis Durand, and her sister, Marilyn Aubert.

In addition to her husband, Herb, Myrna is survived by her three children: daughter Traci Hart (Ken), son Tim Hansen, and daughter Terri Stueckrath (Mark); her grandchildren, Katie Hart Prigge (Dan), Emily Hart, Russell Hansen, Tyler Stueckrath, Megan Stueckrath Yamauchi (Jacob), and Jack Stueckrath; and three great-grandchildren; Daniella Hansen, Izabella Hansen, and Luke Yamauchi, with two more great-grandchildren born after her passing who will know her through the family's stories and her recipes.

Myrna's heart belonged to her family. She was endlessly supportive of her children and grandchildren, showing up for them in ways big and small throughout her life. Her great-grandchildren stole her heart and were a source of endless pride. She was also happiest in her kitchen, where she could be found most days baking— she was famous among her family and friends for her cinnamon rolls, her carrot and angel food cakes, pumpkin bread, pies, and cookies. She carried forward a tradition begun by her own grandmother, making buckwheat pancakes for her family on holidays and anytime they said, “Grandma, we have been thinking about your buckwheat pancakes”. She made sure to pass that same tradition — and that same love — down to her grandchildren.

When she wasn't baking, Myrna could usually be found with a good mystery novel in hand or a Hallmark Christmas movie playing on the television, especially during the holiday season, but she loved to bake the most.

Per Myrna's wishes, no funeral service will be held. Her family invites those who knew and loved her to honor her memory by sharing a favorite recipe with someone you love.

Myrna will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her generous spirit, and a kitchen that always smelled like something wonderful.