Donald C. Hansen

DONALD C. HANSEN was born December 18, 1922 to Henry and Thora (Kjeldsen) in Hardwick, Minnesota. He attended Rock County District #42 school through the eighth grade. On October 25, 1941 Donald was united in marriage to Helen Barck in Pipestone, Minnesota. He then enlisted with the United States Navy. After proudly serving our county in WWII, Don was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned home to Hardwick. He and Helen raised their three sons while owning and operating Don’s Service Repair Shop in Hardwick for over 32 years while owning and operating the Hansen Bus Line for 22 years. He married Miriam Ault on December 7, 1974 in Valley Springs, South Dakota. The couple moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1980, and Don became a mechanic for Hollister Motor and managed an apartment complex. He was later employed by the Geological Society of America as a building and grounds maintenance supervisor. He retired from full-time work there in 1991 and went to work part-time for Crist Mortuary in Boulder until 1998 when he fully retired. The couple returned to Hardwick. In January 2014, Don and Miriam moved to Pakview Manor in Ellsworth, Minnesota. On Tuesday, December 30, 2014 Don died peacefully at the care center at the age of 92 years and 12 days.

Don was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick, where he was baptized and confirmed. He was the past president of the Hardwick Community Club and served on the Hardwick Village Council. He was a member of the Hardwick Volunteer Fire Department and served as the department chief for 8 years. He was a charter member and helped organize the Arthur Moeller Post #478 Hardwick American Legion and served as their Post Commander for 3 years, District Commander in 1966-67, and Dept. Vice Commander in 1969-70. He was a life member of 40/8 and was Grand Chief DeGar for the State of Colorado in 1996-97. He was a proudly paid-up-for-life member of the Luverne VFW and a member of the Luverne Eagles Club.

Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife Miriam Hansen; two sons, Dale (Lorna) of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Gordon “Sam” (Joyce) of Hardwick; a daughter-in-law, Alice Hansen of Hardwick; four step-sons, Dale (Sheryl), Dan, Mark (friend, LaVonne), and David Ault; five grandchildren, Amy (Rob) Rimington, Andrew (Jenny) Hansen, Theresa (Terry) Swenson, Trevor (Julie) Hansen, and Carrie (Scott) Radloff; eight step-grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Thora; his first wife, Helen; his son, Ronald Hansen; three brothers, Harold, Vernon, and Raymond Hansen; and two sisters, Mildred Klostebuer and Fern Strecker.

Memorials may be directed to the Arthur Moeller American Legion Post #478 in Hardwick.