Peggy Zenner

Peggy Zenner Hansen passed away peacefully surrounded by family in her home on Sunday, December 11th at the age of 68.

She was born in Dallas Texas to Elmer and Helen Zenner. Peggy was the youngest of 5 siblings. She grew up in St. Paul Minnesota where she attended Cretin-Derham Hall class of 1972. She made many lifelong friends there. From there she moved to various such places as Colorado and Hawaii experiencing life, and making many friends with her contagious laugh.

She married her former husband, Paul Hansen, in 1988 and together raised two fabulous daughters on a farm in Welch Minnesota. (Both daughters are quite certain they are the favorite) She went out of her way to be there for her kids. She taught them to love deeply, stand up for yourself, and not to always take life so seriously. Peggy was an amazing girl scout leader, chaperoned field trips, helped with 4-h projects, and made many homemade Halloween costumes. Peggy also spent a lot of time out tending to her many beautiful gardens. This is a skill neither daughter inherited.

After her kids got a little older, she followed her real passion for cooking. In 2002 she bought the Trout Scream Café in downtown Welch. She ran it along side her sister, Pam, for many years. Aside from serving the best breakfast around she loved seeing the farmers every morning, and chatting with many local families. Every single holiday she decorated the café from top to bottom. This even included climbing a giant ladder to hang a life-sized flying witch from the ceiling fan every Halloween.

Later in life Peggy was promoted from just mom to Yaya. She loved spending time with her 5 grandkids. She was always up for an adventure with them. Anything from slumber parties, going to the zoo, seeing the latest Pixar movie, making crafts, and answering hundreds of nonsense instant messages and videos sent to her by the kids on their tablets.

Peggy was an amazing mom, yaya, sister, friend, and so much more to many people. Her amazing sense of humor and caring spirit will be deeply missed. She is preceded in death by her beloved dog Stella, many other pets over the years, her father Elmer Zenner, and mother Helen Zenner. She is survived by her 4 siblings- Penny Poling, Pat Zenner, Jane Johnson, Pam Zenner, two daughters- Ashley Hansen ( Joe Hove) and Sam Anderson (Bob Anderson), 5 grandkids- Turner Hansen, Lorelei Anderson, Ben Hansen, Lydia Anderson, and Leif Anderson. and many nieces and nephews.

Peggy’s wish was not to have any kind of formal gathering upon her death. Just take some time the next time you are at the beach to take in the sun and think of her, laugh a little longer, don’t be afraid to buy a mannequin head and dress it up to match the seasons, go all out for the holidays, and be unapologetically yourself.