Gregory Joseph Hansmann

Gregory Joseph Hansmann, of Corcoran, Minnesota, ended his life on November 10, 2023, at the age of 62. He was born on July 12, 1961 to Kathleen and Ronald Hansmann of Medina, Minnesota.

He spent the early years of his life playing hockey, helping his dad in home construction, and finding the riskiest paths and lakes to snowmobile on with his friends and neighbors. Never one for bookwork in school, he felt instead that the learning and lessons he retained were from his real world experiences.

Always a loyal and hard worker, Greg often shared fond memories from his early jobs that provided him with independence and opportunities. Riding his bicycle to his first job at the grocery store ingrained in him a work ethic that he never strayed from. He had high standards and many personal goals for himself - buying his beloved 1967 Camaro before he was 18, and buying his own home by age 21. By the age of 22, he’d begun what would become his lifelong career and passion as a skilled cabinet maker.

Greg became known for his craftsmanship and creating thoughtful wood furnishings and gifts for his family. In 2005 he started working at Mystic Lake Casino as a Furnishings Technician. He had great devotion to his career there and felt fortunate for all of the benefits that came with his job. The friendships he made at his jobs over the years made his work something he truly loved to show up for. Greg often said, “I’ve never had to work a day in my life.” The time he spent, both on and off the company clock, immersed in woodworking projects, was a testament to his love of his craft.

In 1988, he met Darlene at The Country House Supper Club in Plymouth and they were married on August 24, 1991. Through the years they made memories dancing to live music at local fairs and festivals, enjoying dinners at the River Inn, taking the boat out on the lake, and countless trips to the cabin in Alexandria. Darlene’s father, Isidor Macho, became a beloved friend and father figure to Greg, and was the cornerstone of many of his best days of fishing and deer hunting. He admired Isidor in many ways and their shared passions and outlook on life were so dear to him.

Greg and Darlene had two daughters, Michelle and Stephanie. At the age of 33, shortly after the birth of his second daughter, his own father unexpectedly died of a heart attack. This profound loss was mentioned often in his musings and he frequently stated how much he wished his dad could have been around to see his own children grow up. It pains his daughters deeply that this will be a sentiment that they share with their own children. Greg was extremely proud of his daughters and who they have become.

Although Greg may have been stuck in his ways, when his family was able to convince him to participate in whatever they had planned, he always had the best time. A few favorite family memories together include tubing behind the boat, going to the cabin in Alexandria, Saturday nights spent watching CSI, riding roller coasters together at ValleyFair, swimming in the backyard pool, and visiting the Minnesota State Fair each summer.

As his daughters grew into adults, he enjoyed the trips he took to visit them; to Washington and numerous trips to Texas. He was proud to dance with each of his daughters on their wedding days. Having sons-in-law to share his love of grilling and fishing with brought him near-giddy excitement. It was the highlight of his life to be a grandpa, which makes his loss all the more heartbreaking. He had high hopes of raising future Vikings fans and fishing buddies. There will be so many family memories where we will miss his presence; we had anticipated sharing these favorite pastimes with him for years to come.

Truly a man of the outdoors, his hobbies kept him content out in wide open spaces. After decades of talking about it, he finally bought himself a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and loved riding the winding back roads around his home state. He wouldn’t hesitate to use his vacation days to spend time doing the things he loved: ice fishing, trips to the cabin, getting his boat out on the lake, and being in the deer stand. The only thing he loved more than his hobbies was getting to share them with his family. His final fishing trip this fall was to Mille Lacs with his son-in-law, Steven, and Steven’s father, Gordon. Greg spoke of the trip as the most fun he’d ever had fishing.

Greg lost many of his close friends in his final years. This past summer he lost his father-in-law, Isidor Macho, and his best friend, Dale Statema. Their deaths had a tremendous impact on him. He had looked forward to his retirement and the time he’d planned to spend with them both.

He was an innovator at heart, always coming up with creative solutions and new inventions (most famously the “Hansmann Hamburger Press”). He had so much pride for Minnesota and all of their sports teams - especially the Minnesota Vikings. We already miss him for his one-liners, two-for-one barters on Halloween candy, taco hot sauce story, and Trident spearmint gum always on hand. It’s the small moments that make a life and we are grateful for the collection of memories we have with him to carry onward with us.

Greg, a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Darlene Macho Hansmann; his daughters and their spouses, Michelle Hansmann and Steven Spencer, Stephanie and Chris Adner; his grandchildren Elijah, Estelle, Noah, Hayden, and Leona; his mother, Kathleen Hansmann; his sister, Sarah Hansmann; and the family dog, Maggie.

To honor Greg’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. The Hansmann family asks for your prayers for peace, forgiveness, and hope.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the memorial fund in Greg’s name through Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE).