Debra Ann (Lau) Hanson

Debra Ann (Lau) Hanson was born September 6, 1956, to Charlotte (Olson) Lau and Wilfred (Bud) Lau. She was raised in Janesville, MN where she attended school and graduated from Janesville High with the class of 1976. Debra’s battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed her courage in facing life challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, Debra came out a hero and stayed strong until the end. Debra died at age 66 at Mayo Health in Rochester, MN on September 27, 2022, with her daughter, Carolyn, and son-in-law, Nathan by her side. Prior to her passing, Debra received many video calls from her siblings, mother, and children.

Debra worked a few jobs as a dishwasher, but her true passion was childcare. She loved kids and had a soft spot in her heart for them. She had four children: Justin, Jacqueline, Carolyn, and Ashley. She also helped raise Charles, a friend of Justin’s as well as her nephew Joshua. Over the years the family lived in Wisconsin, Texas, Washington State, and Minnesota. Debra eventually returned to the Waseca area, which she considered home, to be close to her family and friends.

Debra enjoyed crocheting afghan’s for her loved ones and spending time with family and friends. She was always trying to make people laugh and smile; even when she was sick. She had a love for Elvis and had an Elvis collection she was very proud of. Debra was a wonderful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and friend.

Debra is survived by her mother, Charlotte Lau-Anderegg; children, Jacqueline Hanson- Lindeman, Carolyn (Nathan) Hanson-Graves, Ashley (Joshua) Hanson-Ramsey, Charles (Michaela) Dixon and Joshua Morgenstern; siblings, Gerald (Carrie) Lau, James (Gloria) Lau, Dawn Santucci, Marjory (Michael) Gilsrud, and James (Kindra) Kostka; sisters-in-law, Cindy Lau, Becky Nelson and Trudy Hanson; grandchildren, Jordan (Aliza) Lindeman, Tyler Lindeman, Chloe Lindquist, Noah Graves, Nicholas Graves, Anthony Hakler, Audrey Hakler, Rayna Dixon, Sydney Dixon, and Elijah Dixon; great-granddaughters, Elena Lindeman and Jordin Lindeman; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; two Godmothers, Sharron Boyd and Doris Waknitz; and special friends, Sharron Comesflying, Julie Comesflying and Bud from the nursing home.

Debra was preceded in death by her father, Wilfred (Bud) Lau; son, Justin Hanson; brothers, Jeff Lau and Craig Schueneman; grandparents, Robert (Gladys) Olson and Wilbert (Erma) Lau; Godfather, David Olson; aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 5:00 PM at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral Homes in Waseca. Visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.