Minna Larsen Hamner, 94, passed into heaven's glory on Thursday 12/21/2017 from complications of stroke while a resident at the Sunrise Community of Leesburg, Va. She was a longtime resident of Northern Virginia having lived in Falls Church, Annandale, Fairfax Station, and most recently in assisted living in Leesburg.

Born in Roskilde, Denmark on 4/15/23, she is predeceased by her parents, Anton and Marie Larsen, four Danish siblings, her beloved husband of 36 years, Jack Hamner, as well as a granddaughter, Lindsay.

Minna and her brother, Holger, were valuable members of the Danish Resistance Movement against the Nazi occupation of her homeland during WWII, despite their young ages of 17 and 15, respectively. Minna shared her harrowing stories of bravery to middle schoolers for many years, especially Rocky Run Middle School's annual "latest generation meets the greatest generation" program. She was fluent in 7 languages and worked as an interpreter for US Intelligence in Germany and Turkey after the war ended, when she met and married her husband, Jack, a US Navy Chief Petty Officer, on 10/2/1950.

Minna was a champion swimmer from an early age and was an honorary member of the 1940 Danish Olympic Swim Team. The water was always her home. In 1963 she achieved her aquatic instructor credentials by outswimming a stunned team of Navy seals at Navy Base Port Hueneme CA. She continued swimming in the U.S. Masters Swimming program, winning national and international competitions until age 90 where she won gold at the National Senior Games. She was a US Masters All-American, National Record-Holder, and more than 13-time national champion.
She was the consummate leader, teacher, coach, and mentor on the pool deck. Minna shared her passion for swimming by teaching and coaching competitive swimming to young children, developing hundreds if not thousands of excellent swimmers throughout her years. She was loved by all who knew her for her warmth, patience, generosity, and sharp wit. Her last coaching stint was 16 years at the Chase Club Sharks Swim Team in Fairfax, Virginia where her developmental program for ages 4-8 was affectionately known as "Minna's Minnows." She retired in 2008 but followed and delighted in her young pupils' success each week thereafter.
Beyond her swimming, Minna was a woman of many talents and worked various jobs throughout her long life. She knew shorthand, was a speed typist, and provided language training to American officers being assigned to Scandinavian diplomatic posts. She also translated and prepared scientific documents for the Navy. She taught Red Cross and water life safety courses resulting in many county lifeguards. She also retired as a librarian for Fairfax County Schools.

In California she endured the hardships of a Navy wife. Long separations from her husband during his Pacific deployments provided for arduous duty singly maintaining a home for 4 children, and awaiting the return of dad. She lovingly but sternly ran the house during those tough years as the lioness of our family.

After relocating to Washington DC, Minna and Jack Hamner eventually became longtime members of Immanuel Bible Church, Springfield, Va. She loved church and fellowship. She loved Billy Graham, Lawrence Welk, The Price is Right, and The Old Time Gospel Hour on TV. She reveled with family during Sunday afternoon Redskins games over fried chicken and biscuits. Her citizens band radio name was Myna Bird. She consistently supported various charities including police and fire, animal support, missions, military/veterans, and pro life organizations. She liked eating out with family and always wanted her coffee hot and her soup steaming. Minna loved all animals, gave to their charities and loved her favorite pet dogs: shelties Alvin & Susan and German Shepard Barron. She smiled and waved to all.

Minna was foremost a devoted Christian wife, mother, and grandmother – loving her family more than anything. She is survived by sons Richard (Margie), Michael, and Pete Hamner (Martha), and by daughter Linda Cunningham (Rob), and by 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, all of whom adored her.

Viewing, funeral/remembrance service, and reception will be held on January 4, 2018 at Immanuel Bible Church, Braddock and Backlick Roads, Springfield Virginia. Viewing 9:45-10:50 AM, Service 11-12 AM, Reception 12-2 PM. Pastor Steve Holley presiding. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery will occur at a yet to be determined date as cemetary schedules permit. Further questions on arrangements can be sent to Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edward Ferry Road NE, Leesburg, Va. 20176 phone 703-777-1414.

If desired memorial contributions in Minna's honor can be made to Immanuel Bible Church or Immanuel Christian School, Springfield Va.

The family wishes to thank Minna's countless friends, her church family, swimming colleagues, and Danish family for their condolences and support. A special note of thanks goes to the Sunrise Community of Leesburg and Fairfax where Minna lived her last days under their warmth and compassion. She regarded Sunrise as a home.

As granddaughter Kristen said, "we will forever celebrate the life of this incredible, beautiful woman, who conquered the world over and over again." We love and miss you Mom.

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10