Donald "Don" Hansen, age 86, of Grant, NE, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, July 19, 2021 at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant.
Don was born in Filley, NE to Charles & Mildred (Cornelius) Hansen on June 5, 1935. When he was 5 years old, he moved to Beatrice, NE with his mother and sisters where he attended elementary, junior high and 3 years of high school. In 1952, Don made a trip to Venango, NE with his mother to visit her friends, Charles & Mae Curtis. He loved it there so he decided to stay, graduating from Venango High School in 1953.
Don loved baseball and was a centerfielder for the Venango, and later Brandon, town baseball team. He was a member of the Nebraska State Semi-Pro team and represented Nebraska in Wichita, KS at the National Semi-Pro Tournament in 1961 for Venango and in 1964 for the Brandon Bombers.
In 1955, Don married Nancy Lee Hiatt in Venango, NE don & Nancy had 3 children: Devron, Jamie & Kelly. Don held various jobs in Venango, working for the Farmers Elevator and for his father-in-law farming, feeding cattle (which he hated), carpentry and managing the Hiatt Lumber Yard. He also owned a filling station for a short time.
In January of 1964, Don decided to become a teacher and attended Kearney State Teachers' College in Kearney, NE. He graduated in January of 1968 with a bachelor's degree in education, and in 1974, Don received his master's degree in vocational education from Kearney State College. Don moved the family to Scotia, NE where he taught business for 5 years at North Loup-Scotia High School. In 1973, the family moved to Arnold, NE where Don continued to teach business and coach young students in volleyball, track, golf, and girls basketball for 25 years. Don retired in 1997 and he and Nancy moved to Grant, NE.
Don's passion & favorite pastime was golf. He traveled all over Nebraska, southern Florida, Arizona, and other southern states to play the game he loved with family and friends. Don was also an avid fan of Nebraska football and volleyball, watching the games at every opportunity. Don was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Pheasant Run Senior Golf Team and the Broken Bow Elk's Lodge.
Don was a fun-loving man who loved his family & friends very much. He always had a kind word to share. Don was accepting of all people and recognized the good in all. If you met Don as a stranger, you parted as friends.
Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, nancy; his son, Devren (Cindy) Hansen of Grant, NE; his daughters, Jamie (Cary) Perkins of Loveland, CO and Kelly Hansen of Grant, NE; his favorite ex-daughter-in-law, Penny Hansen of Phoenix, AZ; sisters, Carole Barker of Montezuma, IA, JoAnn Wester of Beatrice, NE, and Linda Williams of Beatrice, NE. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren: Cory, Jaren (Jarhead), Jessie (Jess-a-Mess), Spencer, Ashlee (Ashwee), Melissa, Stephanie, Kenyon, Cameron, Keeler, and Harper; and 13 great-great children; and a host of other family and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his father, Charles; his mother, Mildred; sister, Arlene; grandparents and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial has been established in Don's memory for a later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
Visitation will be held Friday July 23, 2021 at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant from 2 to 6 pm.
Funeral Services will be Saturday July 24, 2021 at 10:30 am at the United Methodist Church in Grant, NE. Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant, NE is in charge of arrangements.