School District of Somerset

Somerset Class of 1999 (Class Salutatorian)

Served in Jordan (Operation ENDURING FREEDOM–2002), Iraq (Operation IRAQI FREEDOM– 2003, 2007, 2009), Lebanon (2010), Jordan (2013), Oman (2013), Saudi Arabia (2014/15/17), Turkey (2016), Syria (Operation INHERENT RESOLVE–2018)

Graduate of U.S. Army Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical & Tactical Certification Course–2012

B.S. from Norwich University–2014

Retired From Military With Rank of Chief Warrant Officer–2021

Bronze Star Medal x2, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal x2, Joint Service Commendation Medal x2, Army Commendation Medal x5, Army Achievement Medal x6, Meritorious Unit Citation x3, Valorous Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal x4, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/4 Campaign Stars, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon x2, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Special Forces Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge

One of ten children of Louis & Beatrice Martell

Salutatorian, Somerset High School, 1958

At SHS, participated in Forensics, FHA, Class Play, Cheerleading, Marching Band

Graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, Marshfield, WI, 1961

Moved back to Somerset and married Andy Vanasse, 1962

Worked as a nurse, St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Paul, MN, 1962

Worked as a nurse, Holy Family Hospital, New Richmond, WI, 1963-1966, 1981-1998

Opened the 1st laundromat in New Richmond, WI, with husband Andy, 1970

Mother of Dan (1966), Kyle (1967), and Neil (1973);  all three graduated from SHS

Retired from nursing, 1998

Served on Somerset Village Board, 1998-2007

Served on Somerset Library Board, 1988-1996; Charter member of Friends of the Library

Active member of St. Anne’s Parish

Charter member of Somerset Food Pantry, 2014-2021

Born February 19, 1941

1962 married Theresa Germain and had five sons who all participated in athletics and graduated from Somerset 

4-year football player at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1962 All-Conference football player

1963 Graduated from University of Wisconsin-River Falls with an Education Degree

1966 Named to All-League Football Squad representing Sheboygan Red Wings semi-pro team

1970-1995 Taught science to 5th and 6th grade students in Somerset school district

1970-1988 Football coach for Somerset High School; 1975 team finished with an 8-1 record

1970-1985 Coach of basketball, wrestling, track & field

1986-1995 Junior High football coach, organizer of junior high wrestling tournaments

1985 Co-founder of Somerset Memorial Scholarship Fund

1998-2013 Served on the St. Croix Co-Op Electric Board

Co-created an oral history of Somerset for the Somerset Public Library

Co-authored book about prohibition in Somerset

Co-organized Old Timers Softball Tournament, with funds paying for Village Park Improvements

Somerset Class of 1964

1950 Lawson family moved to Somerset

1969 Graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison with Engineering Degree

1969-1971 Worked for 3M in the Central Research Group

1972-1973 Active duty in US ARMY at TACOM (Tank & Automotive COMmand) in Detroit

1973-1975 Attended University of Minnesota for graduate studies

1975 Started Lawson, Lawson, & Associates

1978 Started Laser Machining INC, the first business in Somerset Industrial Park

1983 Became member of Somerset Chamber of Commerce

1985 Became member of Laser Institute of America

1986-1996 Member of Somerset School Board; helped create the new high school built in 1995

1999 President of Laser Institute of America

2006 Became member of Parks, Recreation, and Planning Commission for Somerset Township

Starting in 2017, major contributor to the Somerset Public Library expansion project

Awarded 15 Patents for products in laser technology and off-road vehicles

Somerset Class of 1938

Valedictorian of Class of 1938

Attended University of Wisconsin River Falls--awarded teaching certificate 1940

Achieved Bachelor of Arts Degree 1978

Worked at Lockheed Cannon Defense Plant aircraft factory, Los Angeles, CA, during World War II

Returned to Somerset while husband Wes served in World War II

Taught at Banner School 1940-1941; Lakeside School 1941-1942; Sand Hill School 1947-1950.  

Substitute Teacher at Somerset Schools 1962-1972

Taught at St. Anne’s 1972-1992.  Retired at age 72.

President of PTA 

Secretary of Ladies of St. Anne’s; Member of St. Anne’s Funeral Committee

Volunteer at Veteran Affairs Hospital in Minneapolis

President of American Legion Auxiliary

Project Leader of 4-H Club

Somerset Senior Center Secretary, Treasurer, & Creator of Intergenerational Program

Somerset Class of 1992

1990 State Track:  100 M. Dash (8th), 400 M. Relay (2nd), 800 M. Relay (2nd)

1991-92 Conference Champion, State Qualifier--Long Jump, 400 Meter Relay

1990 Junior Olympic Gymnastics National Champion

13 Time All-American Gymnast at the University of Kentucky

Winner of Eight NCAA Gymnastics Individual Championships 

First Woman to Win Three Straight NCAA All-Around Titles

1994 Named Top Female Amateur Athlete In The Nation 

1996 Olympic Torch Bearer

1998 Entrant into Guinness Book of World Records For Most Individual Gymnastics Championships Won In A Career (8)

2006 Named Most Outstanding NCAA Gymnast of Past 25 Years

2013 Named SEC Legend:  Kentucky Gymnastics, 1993-96

After graduation, Hansen took a job in her field of animal science and although she enjoyed it, she wanted something more. Her next step was to pursue a career in entertainment where she performed in some shows, including stunt-double work for Make It or Break It, the television sitcom. 

She currently lives in Colorado and works for the tv show “American Ninja Warrior.”

Somerset Class of 1967

Four  Time Conference and Sectional Champion--Mile  Run

Two-Time High School State Champion--Mile  Run (1966-67)

Ran Fastest Mile (4:19.6) In State Meet History, All Classes (A/B/C).  Class C Record Stood 7 years

1966 All Conference, Football

1966 Sectional  Champion, 4th Place Finish, State Cross Country Meet  

1967 USTFF Indoor Track Meet Champion--Mile Run, Madison; Set Meet Record

2016 Inducted Into Wisconsin Track  Coaches Association Hall of Fame

1969 Big Ten Conference Champion, University Of Wisconsin--Three Mile Run (14:07; UW School Record)

1969 All-Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Team

1969 & 1970 Captain,  University of Wisconsin Cross Country  Team

Six Time Varsity Letter Winner, University of Wisconsin (Track, Cross Country)