Richard Hansen

Richard M. Hansen entered into eternal rest with his Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday November 8, at the Tobacco Root Mountain Care Center in Sheridan Montana at the age of 90. He was a lifelong resident of Dillon Montana, born on May 21, 1926 to Christen and Lottie B. Hansen. He attended Dillon schools until his appendix burst at the age of 16 and spent over a year recovering from his surgery and near death experience. His educational opportunities at an end, he became a farm hand for the owner of the Superior Dairy, Clarence Koenig and joyfully ended up marrying the farmer’s daughter, Ruth Harriet Koenig. He was serving on the USS Renville in WWII’s Pacific theater and when his ship ended up in dry dock for repairs in Seattle Washington. He called Ruthie to ask her if she would board a train and join him in Seattle and marry him. The rest is history. He returned to Dillon after the war and the couple made Dillon their home for the rest of their lives. Their children numbered eight: Eric Richard, David Brian, Wade Dennis, Lorna Rose, Wade Dennis, Mark Aaron, Craig Jonathan, Joel Paul, and Adele Corrine. Lorna and Joel were still born but they never forgot them for a moment. The rest were raised in Dillon and kept parents busy attending the many activities young families participate in. Richard made sure all of his children graduated from high school and mostly importantly, attended church at the First Baptist Church on Sunday mornings as their spiritual lives and salvation in Jesus Christ was his highest priority. Dick worked at many different occupations but his job with the Electrolux Vacuum Corporation as an award winning door to door salesman for 35 years and also selling Stokematic Furnaces would serve to pay the bills whilst he raised his family. Dick loved the great outdoors teaching his children the importance of appreciating the Lord’s handiwork. He was happiest when he was whistling or playing his harmonica around a campfire. He spent years, camping, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, riding motorcycles and taking his “little purple jeep as high as it would go into the Pioneer Mountains. His retirement years were spent enjoying the company of his grandchildren and great grandchildren, farming with his son Craig on the old Koenig home place, and traveling with his wife Ruthie. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1995 with a family reunion at Elkhorn Hot Springs and after Ruthie pass in 2004 he continued to work on the farm with his son Craig until his health failed and he was longer able to climb up into the tractor. His last years at the TRMCC in Sheridan, still playing harmonica and coming to Dillon every Sunday to worship his precious Lord at the Stone Creek Bible Church. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth, son Joel Paul, daughter Lorna Rose, Grandson Nick Jonathan, daughter-in-law Donna Hansen, and all five of his siblings, Albert, Myrl, Mercedes, Verne and Margie. His is survived by his children, Eric (Darlene), David (Diane), Wade (Gail), Mark (Linda), Craig (Gail) and Adele, 23 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. Any contribution can be given to the collection plate or missionary offering at the church of your choice or any Veteran’s Support Fund.