Obituary - Kristin N. Hansen

Editor’s note: This version corrects the time of the funeral in Havre and interment in Fort Harrison in Helena.

Kristin N. Hansen was promoted to her Heavenly Home Thursday, July 7, 2022, with her parents and best friends by her side. 

Kris was born on December 21, 1969, in Peoria, IL, and adopted by her parents December 24, 1969. They are eternally grateful that Kris' birth mother chose life for her daughter.

She was raised in Bradley, graduating from Bradley Bourbonnais High School in 1988. In 1992, Kris graduated from Augustana College summa cum laude. She served an internship with the CIA in Langley, Virginia, and then worked for them in Somalia for a time.

Kris graduated from John Marshall Law School Magna Cum Laude in 2002 and took a position clerking for Judge Black in the Illinois Bankruptcy Court.

In 2003, Kris moved to Montana where she clerked at the Montana Supreme Court for a year. She worked in a Bozeman law firm for a while, during which time she was deployed to Iraq and served as a judge advocate general.

In 2009, she moved to Havre, where she worked for the Hill County Attorney's office for several years. She served two terms as a state representative and was elected to a term in the state Senate. In 2016, she was appointed deputy auditor for the State of Montana, later moving to the Department of Justice, working as the lieutenant attorney general.

Kris grew up in the Open Bible Church of Kankakee, Il. Her faith in Jesus was the foundation of her life.

Kris was known for her amazing work ethic and her value for people. She was independent, determined, and a fierce defender of the Constitution and her adopted state of Montana.

If you were blessed to be her friend, she was loyal, caring, and fun to be with. Kris loved nature and would try any sport or activity. The mountains beckoned her to climb, hunt, fish, camp, etc. She was an excellent trap shooter and golfer. 

Traveling was another keen interest, and Kris visited 23 countries. On her second trip to China, she was able to meet her soon-to-be niece before anyone else.

Kris enjoyed gardening, plants, flowers, and trees; and her yard was a great source of joy to her.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Peter and Mabel Hansen and Cletus and Letha Burnett, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Kris is survived by her parents, Fred and Nancy Sue Hansen of Havre; brothers, Joel (Sonda) Hansen of Beavercreek, OH, and Tech Sgt. Seth (Angel) Hansen of Rochester, WA; nieces and nephews, Seth II, Joshua, Elijah, Micah, Jack, Julia, and Su-Lin; aunts and uncles, Theresa (Colin) Thacker of Grey's Lake, IL, Helen Gillespie of Elmhurst, IL, Sheila Burnett of Herscher, IL, Ken (Kay) Burnett of Bradley, IL, John (Lynn Ruder) Burnett of Bourbonnais, IL, and Peter (Diane) Hansen of Bonfield, IL; special friends, Stephanie and Rick Cote, Heidi and Ed Hill, and Michelle Dietrich; and her precious cat and wonderful friend, Rose.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel in Havre.

Kris' funeral will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Fifth Avenue Christian Church, also in Havre, with her interment at Fort Harrison Cemetery in Helena beginning at noon Friday, July 15, 2022.

Her family has suggested memorial donations be made in Kris' name to the Salvation Army, Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, and the Hi-Line Pregnancy and Resource Center.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Kris' online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com .