In a small town, throw a benefit, ‘And they will come’

One by one they filed into the American Legion on Saturday night, all supporting Chris Marczak Hansen in her battle against breast cancer.

While standing in the front of the Legion and looking out at the crowd that had crammed into the building in downtown Minneota, Hansen was asked what it felt like to have so many people congregate just for her. “Wow,” was all she was first able to utter before emotions took over and tears welled up in her eyes.

Later on, Hansen collected her thoughts and expressed her gratitude for the powerful showing of support.

“What a wonderful turnout. And so much fun,” she added. “I never expected to see so many donated items, so many great people, lots of great food, and super great help putting it all together.” “This is amazing,” said her daughter Lauryn, 19. “It’s incredible how many people showed up.”

“That’s the beauty of a small town,” added daughter, Lacey, 20. All four of Hansen’s children were on hand, including daughter Larissa, 25, and son Devyn, 13, as well as fiancé Lee Kilpatrick.

And so were other relatives, friends, former Madison High School classmates, former college roommates and classmates, co-workers, neighbors, acquaintances, and even people that didn’t know her.

“My daughter is a breast cancer survivor,” said Myra Johnson of Brookings, SD, accompanied by her husband Bud.

“We were in Marshall visiting a friend and heard about this benefit and decided to show our support.”

Hansen's good friend, Nona Fay Gottskalkson, coordinated the well-organized benefit that included herself and her daughter Kassandra entertaining the audience with their musical talents throughout the evening.

“As I reflect on the benefit for Chris, I can only come up with one word that truly depicts the atmosphere of the night … miraculous,” said Gottskalkson.

Gottskalkson was able to put together the highly-successful benefit in less than three weeks. “I was driven to get this done for Chris,” she said.

“She is such a great person and has such a big heart.” Hansen was diagnosed with breast cancer in August.

She had her last infusion of chemotherapy on March 1 and will undergo a double mastectomy and total hysterectomy on March 29 in Marshall.

The Farmer’s Co-op Association of Minneota bookkeeper and website manager will miss work for six weeks, so this benefit will help defray some of her expenses.

“The thing I admire about Chris is how strong she has been through all this,” said Steve Traen, the Minneota FCA Branch Manager.

“Other than when she has to go in for chemo, she hasn’t missed any work.” “And she always has a smile on her face and says she is feeling fine, even with all the things she is going through. It’s amazing how she is able to maintain such a positive attitude.”

Hansen started working for FCA in April after being the office manager at The Mascot for two years before that. “Chris is a great employee and a wonderful person,” said Mascot Publisher Byron Higgin.

“She pretty much ran the Mascot while she was with us. As strong as she is mentally, I know she’ll beat this horrible ordeal and come out on the winning side.”

Hansen is generally among the first to offer assistance to someone else in need. When her friend Wendy Vierstraete, a nurse, was diagnosed with breast cancer in Oct. 2016, Hansen was quick to help in any way she could.

“Chris would send me cards with gift cards for gas, or when my Mascot was nearing the end, she renewed the subscription,” said Vierstraete.

“It’s things like that that show what true friendships are.”

And now the tables have turned as Vierstraete has offered to drive Hansen to any appointments, or answer any questions she might have.

“When she has surgery, I told her I would help out because you can’t lift over five pounds and she will have drains that she will need help with,” said Vierstraete.

“Being a nurse and having gone through the same things helps.” One of the most impressive sights at the Hansen benefit night was the large number of items donated for the silent auction that Gottskalkson coordinated.

“We didn’t have to go around to the businesses and ask for donations,” said Gottskalson. “We know they are always getting hit up for things like this. Some of the businesses donated without being asked, but most of the items were donated by the public.”

And the majority of the bids for the items exceeded the value of the particular item. “I personally want to thank all of the businesses and the individuals for their donations to the silent auction,” said Gottskalkson.

“And to those who purchased items.” Gottskalkson also wanted to thank these businesses for their contributions: The Minneota Mascot, Farmers Co-op Association, Hy-Vee Floral, Prairie Home Hospice, Legion Post 199, Thrivent Financial, and Tri-County Veterinary Clinic.

“I don’t want to try to name everyone that jumped in to help that night as I am sure I will miss someone,” Gottskalkson said. “But please accept a sincere thank you if you helped in any way.”

When Gottskalkson began preparations for the benefit, she made calls to Roberta Josephson and Terri Myhre of Hope Lutheran Church, which is where Hansen and Gottskalkson also attend.

“Roberta took over the huge job of making the pulled pork and BBQ, as well as ordering the other food needed from Brad’s Market,” Gottskalkson explained.

“Terri took charge of getting the Youth of Hope and the 2019 Mission Group to bake bars to donate, as well as to set up tables, serve and help clean up.”

There was also a free-will donation lunch consisting of BBQs or pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, chips, coleslaw, desserts and water or lemonade. Gottskalkson’s sister, Sue Handeland of The Hitching Post, donated the cole slaw and paper products. Farmer’s Co-op Association donated the buns and Rusty’s Corner Café of Taunton donated the lemonade.

“The Bible tells us in the Gospel of John 15:13 that ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’. This is what Jesus did for us as Christians,” Gottskalkson noted.

“I believe this is what we are asked to do as Christians; to lay down our own selfishness and our busy lives to help a friend in need. That is what the community did for Chris. I’m so proud to be from Minneota.”

Hansen admitted that one of the most emotionally trying times during her battle with cancer was losing her hair. But one thing was evident on Saturday night; there certainly was no loss of support.

“I am humbled and so very much appreciated all the loving support,” she said.

“It was so very wonderful to see so many people. I know I didn’t get a chance to talk to everyone. I wish I could have had another couple of hours to visit with everyone. I just want to say thanks again to everyone.”