Eugene R. Hansen

Eugene Richard Hansen, age 91, of Forest Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024. Born on January 15, 1933, in Divide County, North Dakota, he was the son of Arnold and Agnes (Nelson) Hansen.

Eugene's early years were spent in North Dakota. When crop failures forced the sale of the family farm, Eugene's parents moved their family to Hunky Dory Farms-Resort near Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, for a short time before settling in Luck, Wisconsin, where Eugene completed his education at Luck High School, graduating with the Class of 1951. During his school years, he worked diligently, first as a paperboy delivering the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper and later in a local bakery.

Eugene met and fell in love with Audrey Olson, his wife of 62 years, through his sister, Ardelle, one of Audrey's dearest friends. The couple married on April 30, 1955, at the Luck Lutheran Church. In 1962 they moved to Forest Lake where Eugene showcased his remarkable talent by building their family home with a handsaw, a testament to his dedication and skill. Together, they raised their family in that cherished home until Audrey's passing in 2017. Eugene continued to reside there until his move to assisted living in 2023.

Eugene devoted 34 years of his career to Honeywell where he was a valued employee. Upon his early retirement at age 55, Eugene devoted his time and energy to working his hobby farm, at various times having raised, horses, cattle, cows, turkeys, chickens, and ducks in various combinations. He got a taste of "real" farming when he would help neighborhood farmers with their fieldwork. Eugene was an avid gardener, sharing the fruits of his labors with family and friends. He often sold gladiola flowers and sweet corn on the corner of Highway 61 near his home.

No family gathering was complete without one or more of Eugene's homemade pies or his Danish rice pudding.

Eugene was something of an inventor. He would not buy a new piece of equipment, such as a cab for his walk-behind snowblower, if he could build one himself. When in need of a new jacket, shirt, pair of pants, mittens, or bib overalls, he would cut apart an old garment, draw a pattern, improve the design, and then sew a new garment for himself.

Eugene is survived by his loving children, Lynda (Dennis) Hall, Mark (Johnna) Hansen, David (Ana) Hansen, Jonathan (Sarah) Hansen; grandchildren, Angela, Frederick, Victoria, Charles, Jillian, Allison, Ryan, Ashley, Zachary, Gideon, Levi, Elijah, Shiloh; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters Alice Lundquist, Evelyn Hansen, Ardelle Hansen, Luella Hansen; many other family and friends.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Agnes Hansen; wife Audrey (Olson) Hansen; sister, Dorothy Hansen; brother-in-law, John Lundquist.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 6, 2025, at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment at Milltown Cemetery, Milltown, Wisconsin.