The Kathryn W. Hansen papers date from 1959 to 2012. The papers are arranged in nine series: Biographical, Education, Peace Corps, Campaign for Sioux County Supervisor, Photography, Non-Governmental Organizations, Publications, Artifacts, and Uganda.

The Biographical series (1974-2007) contains awards and certificates received by Katy and Peter Hansen, as well as materials regarding the purchase, operation, and sale of the ranch they co-owned with John D. Te Paske in the Orange City area.

The Education series (1962-1979) concerns Katy Hansen's post-secondary education and includes academic papers and her graduate chemistry thesis. The Peace Corps series (1964-2007) includes material related to the Hansens' service in Nigeria, their involvement in Returned Peace Corps Volunteers for the Environment, and a Peace Corps alumni trip to the Soviet Union in 1987.

The Campaign for Sioux County Supervisor series (1986) contains publicity and campaign materials, photographs, and news coverage from Hansen's unsuccessful bid as the Democratic candidate for county supervisor.

The Photography series (1969-1994) concerns Hansen's Orange City, Iowa freelance photography business and courses she taught at Northwestern Community College.  Examples of photographs, cards, and lesson plans and handouts are included.

The Non-Governmental Organizations series (1985-2005) documents Hansen's involvement in non-profit and activist groups. Materials regarding a cultural exchange trip by women from the Soviet Union to northwest Iowa, the United Nations Association, and her trips to global conferences, including the Rio Di Janeiro Earth Summit and the Roots of the Future conference are included.

The Publications series (1969-2012) contains writings by and about Hansen, the U.N., the Peace Corps, Northwest College, and Orange City.

The Artifacts series (1986-2007) includes plaques Hansen received for her activism and items from her political campaign.

The Uganda series (1976-2003) consists of research files and papers by Katy Hansen concerning the political system and conditions in Uganda under military dictator Idi Amin's regime from 1971-1979.