Carolyn L. Hansen

Carolyn Loyce (Plinsky) Hansen was born on the family farm Southwest of Westfall, Kansas to Ernest August Herman Plinsky and Hazel Fern (Shafer) Plinsky on Kansas’s 74th birthday, January 29, 1935. She attended Keystone School through 7th grade, but consolidation forced the closure of that school, so she finished 8th grade in Westfall. Her 8th grade teacher was Kate Marsh, who was also her mother’s 8th grade teacher 30 years earlier. She then attended Beverly Rural High School, graduating in 1952. Although she never attained a college degree, she took many classes from four different colleges, including two State Universities.

Due to her father’s failing health, her family moved from the farm to Beverly. Then at ages 15 and 16, she worked three jobs: Bonny Café, Telephone Exchange and cleaning the Methodist Church, while attending high school and playing the piano for church.

She married Gilbert Hansen of Beverly, November 15th, 1953, in the Westfall Presbyterian Church with Rev. H. Martins of Tescott Lutheran Church officiating. They were blessed with two children, Leila May and Steven Ernest.

Carolyn was elected an officer at the Beverly State Bank at age 19, which was announced in the Kansas Bankers Association magazine as the youngest female bank officer in the State of Kansas. She continued her banking career for forty plus years, retiring from the Beverly State Bank after thirty-five years, followed by serving as bank manager for local banks located in Falun & Barnard Kansas as they transitioned through ownerships.

She served on the Boards of the Beverly State Bank, Lincoln County Hospital, Beverly City Council, Lincoln County Hospice, Lincoln County on Aging including the Bus Board, Lincoln County Representative of the North Central Kansas Economics Board and several others.

She truly enjoyed sharing her musical gift playing piano and organ for churches in Beverly and Salina for over 50 years, beginning at the age of twelve at the Westfall Presbyterian Church.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her father, Ernie Plinsky in 1951, mother, Hazel in 2005, brother, Dean Plinsky in 2018, brother, Darrell Plinsky in 2022, and son-in-law, Ron Reinert in 2024. Survivors include Gilbert Hansen, her husband of 71 years; children, Leila Reinert, Steve Hansen (Melinda); six grandchildren, Bert Street, Duane Street (Cathy), Steffanie Street, Kirsten Nusser (Tegan), Christian Hansen (Sarah), and Kaylee Hansen (Carter Couchman); ten great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held Monday, April 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1400 N. Main St., McPherson, KS 67460.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the “Dala Pantry” (@ Messiah Lutheran Church, 402 N. 1st St, Lindsborg, KS 67456) or First Presbyterian Church, 1400 N. Main Street, McPherson, KS 67460.