Cottage Grove, WI – The Cottage Grove community is mourning the heartbreaking and sudden loss of one of its most cherished members. Dr. Kami Hansen, founder of Heartland Chiropractic and a steadfast advocate for wellness and community connection, tragically passed away on the evening of April 30, 2025, after a devastating car accident. She was struck by a vehicle that jumped the curb while she was on a walk with her family. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, Dr. Kami succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
Her son Riley, also struck during the incident, remains hospitalized and has undergone surgery. The outpouring of love and support from the Cottage Grove community in the hours and days following the accident has been profound—a true reflection of the impact Dr. Kami had on countless lives as a healer, leader, neighbor, and friend.
To know Dr. Kami Hansen was to know compassion, energy, and an unwavering dedication to her family and her hometown. A practicing chiropractor, mother of three, devoted wife, and enthusiastic community volunteer, Dr. Kami poured her heart into everything she touched. She wasn’t just a provider of physical healing—she was a beacon of emotional strength and positivity for anyone who crossed her path.
As the founder of Heartland Chiropractic, Dr. Kami brought more than just her medical expertise to Cottage Grove—she brought hope, trust, and a sense of well-being that patients say was unparalleled. For many residents, her office was not just a place to receive care, but a safe haven—a place where healing extended far beyond the body and reached the soul. She treated every patient with warmth, respect, and a genuine interest in their health journeys, and she made lifelong connections through her work.
Outside of her clinic, Dr. Kami was a pillar of the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce. She served faithfully on the Board of Directors for six years, dedicating her time, insights, and leadership to a better, stronger local economy. She was actively serving on two committees at the time of her passing, championing initiatives that supported small businesses, community events, and local outreach. Her commitment went far beyond attending meetings—she was the type to volunteer extra hours, rally others, and find joy in lifting up those around her.
“She always wanted the very best for Cottage Grove,” one Chamber member shared through tears. “She gave her time without hesitation and led with love. Her absence is going to be deeply felt in every corner of this town.”
In addition to her community work, Kami was first and foremost a family woman. She and her husband Paul raised three wonderful sons—Hunter, Riley, and Dylan—in Cottage Grove, where family values and community support go hand-in-hand. She adored her boys, and often shared their stories and achievements with pride, both professionally and personally. Whether it was showing up at school events, cheering from the sidelines at sports games, or going on family walks, Kami was always present. She lived with intention, prioritizing quality time and meaningful experiences with her loved ones.
That same family focus makes the circumstances of her passing all the more tragic. A simple evening walk—something so routine, so wholesome—ended in disaster due to one reckless moment. The community is still reeling from the news, struggling to comprehend how someone so full of life and goodness could be taken so suddenly and so unfairly.
As Riley recovers from his injuries, the entire Hansen family—Paul, Hunter, Riley, and Dylan—needs the community’s support more than ever. Emotional support is vital, but the family is also facing unexpected financial burdens related to medical expenses, funeral costs, and ongoing care.
To assist, the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Cottage Grove Community Foundation to organize a memorial fund in Dr. Kami Hansen’s honor. The foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has a standing fund designed specifically for tragic and unexpected community losses like this. Donations can be made online through the foundation’s secure site at www.cottagegrovecf.org, or dropped off in person at the Chamber office located inside the Bank of Sun Prairie, 419 W. Cottage Grove Rd. Checks can be mailed to PO Box 211, Cottage Grove, WI 53527, payable to The Cottage Grove Community Foundation. All contributions are tax deductible.
Every dollar raised will go directly toward helping the Hansen family navigate this unthinkable period of grief and recovery. No amount is too small. Whether it’s the cost of medical care, support for the boys’ education, or simply ensuring the family has the breathing room to heal without financial pressure, every contribution matters.
For those who cannot donate financially, the community is also being asked to lift the family in prayer, share their story, offer meals, childcare assistance, or words of encouragement. A candlelight vigil is being planned in Dr. Kami’s memory, and details will be announced by the Chamber in the coming days.
The loss of Dr. Kami Hansen is more than the loss of a practitioner, or even a friend—it is the loss of a thread in the very fabric of Cottage Grove. Her commitment to wellness, to service, and to her family represents everything good about this town. In her memory, residents are encouraged not only to give but to live a little more like Kami—more present, more giving, more compassionate.
A fellow Board member recalled her final message from Dr. Kami just a few days before the accident: “She told me, ‘Don’t ever underestimate the power of showing up for someone, even in the smallest way.’” That quote now serves as a guiding light for how the community can honor her legacy—by showing up.
Let this be a moment not just of mourning, but of movement—movement toward healing, action, and solidarity. Let her life inspire us to be more connected, more generous, and more committed to the places and people we love.
To the Hansen family—Paul, Hunter, Riley, and Dylan—Cottage Grove is here for you. We see your pain. We share in your heartbreak. And we will walk with you every step of the way, just as Kami would have wanted.
Dr. Kami Hansen may be gone in body, but her spirit will remain in every corner of this community—from the healing spaces she created at Heartland Chiropractic to the boardroom tables she led with grace. She is not forgotten. She is cherished.
She is Cottage Grove’s eternal heartbeat.
For more information or to donate directly: Visit: https://www.cottagegrovecf.org
Mail Donations To:
Cottage Grove Community Foundation
PO Box 211
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
Drop-Off Location:
Chamber Office at Bank of Sun Prairie
419 W. Cottage Grove Rd.
Cottage Grove, WI
All donations are tax deductible under the 501(c)(3) status of the Cottage Grove Community Foundation.
