Lisa Kathleen Hansen, 48, of Esko, died peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 with her husband, Aaron, by her side after a seven year battle with cancer. Lisa was born in Anoka, Minnesota on December 5, 1963 to Fred and Kathleen Gundlach.

In 1972, the family moved to St. James Minnesota and in 1978 relocated back to Anoka where Lisa graduated from Anoka High School in 1982.

Lisa began her career in the hospitality and travel industry by going to the McConnell School of Travel, graduating in 1984. She then traveled west to Colorado, living and working at Keystone Ski Resort, as well as, a local pizza shop in the mid 80’s. Returning to Minneapolis, she continued her career at the Radisson Plaza and Holiday Inn, fulfilling various positions at the front desk, sales and catering, along with working evenings at the airport corporate jet terminal. In 1991 Lisa moved to Duluth to fulfill a dream of living near Lake Superior and hoping to continue her education at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She instead became a server at Augustino’s in the Fitger’s Complex, going on to develop the Sales and Catering Department and then becoming the Food and Beverage Director. In 1995 she moved to Fargo with her future husband and joined Rosenbluth International as a corporate travel agent on the Intel account. Returinng to Duluth in 1997, Lisa became a leisure travel agent at Destination Travel and eventually was a partner in ownership for ten years where she enjoyed putting together dream vacations for couples, families and groups.

Lisa married Aaron on September 22, 2001 on the shores of Lake Superior at Grand Superior Lodge.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Kathleen Gundlach.

Lisa is survived by her husband, Aaron; daughter, Jami, who she adored; dog, Mocha; step-mother, Mary Gundlach; sisters, Karen (Ron Garnett) Gundlach, Launette (Tom) Figliuzzi, and Linda (Jim) Hunt; brother, Mike (Liz) Gundlach; father-and mother-in-law, Ron and Darlene Hansen; brother-in-law, Travis (Laura) Hansen; sister-in-law, Kara (Glenn) Plante; six nieces, three nephews, two grandnieces, and two grandnephews. Lisa is also survived by her Business Networking International family, friends, and many clients whom she loved.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at St. Luke’s departments of internal medicine, oncology, the infusion and second floor hospital nurses for the wonderful care and friendship; Pastors Jeff Walther and Tom Brinkley of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Esko for their spiritual guidance; and the wonderful loving friends, BNI Family, Sue Mageau, Kevin O’Brian, Rhonda Rutford and Bonnie Perkins, just to name a few.

Funeral Services were held on Friday, July 20, 2012 in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Esko. Burial followed in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery, Esko. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. To leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.