Ask Leanne Hansen’s grandson, Noah, about his grandma, and he’ll tell you proudly: “My grandma climbs mountains.” He’s not exaggerating. Leanne has scaled 33 peaks in Colorado and even summited Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,000 feet. For her, mountain climbing is more than a hobby, it’s freedom.
“It really energizes me,” Leanne said. “You could be feeling bad (when you start), and you don’t feel bad anymore (when you finish). Just keep walking.”
A Bloomington resident for nearly 50 years, Leanne chose to live here because she loves the city’s nature centers and safe, walkable neighborhoods. When she’s not climbing mountains, she’s biking, running or competing in triathlons, though swimming was always her least favorite leg. She’s a passionate racquetball player, even joining a men’s league when there wasn’t a women’s option, and making the playoffs. She also participates in Bloomington’s walking club.
Beyond athletics, Leanne enjoys music. She’s played piano since age five and once taught lessons. Whether outdoors on the trails, in competition, or cheering on friends, Leanne embodies the energy, determination and community spirit that make Bloomington so special.
To learn more about Leanne, check out her video interview at blm.mn/leanne. Do you have a notable neighbor story? Submit it via email to communications@BloomingtonMN.gov.
