John G. Hansen

Jack was always faithful to our annual rummage sale at WAUMC. He loved to hang the signs that directed traffic through his beloved church. I'm glad that he and Mary are together again at last. Their love for each other was visible to all. Love you Jack.

I remember Jack & family at my grandfather Orval Pellett's farm. I know Granddad & Grandma Pellett very much appreciated the time spent with Jack & all the wonderful family.

A greatest gift in life came five summers ago when Mom (Marion Hansen), my sister Chris, and I went to Wisconsin for a long overdue visit. Chris and I had not been to Wisconsin in over forty years and wanted to see our childhood homes and find long lost family. Wauwatosa was a first stop. We went to 118th Street and met the new owners of the glorious home built by Grandpa Sid in the 1920's. Dad, Uncle Jack, and Bud had lived there for much of their growing up years, as did their cousin Don. Mom and Dad had lived there when first married while Grandpa Sid built their first home a few blocks away. The owners loved seeing the old pictures of their home, and loved Mom's stories of her time there. They greeted us with open arms and treated us like long lost family. Our next stop was to Harwood to visit Uncle Jack. Mom had thought he was gravely ill and we expected to find him in a hospital bed. What a mistake! The receptionist at Harwood paged his room and surprised him with the news of his visitors. I will never forget the glow in his eyes as he walked down the hall to meet us. He looked so much like our Dad (Ray) that Chris and I had tears in our eyes. He had the same gait, the same twinkle in his eyes, and we found later, the same great sense of humor. His friend June was in the lobby, and Mom joined them for a fish fry while Chris and I took our cousin Sandy (Demien) back to her school. In the days following, we took Uncle Jack to the 118th Street house now owned by Joe and Cindy Marty. The Montys are the greatest family and immediately saw the treasure that Uncle Jack was. He met their three darling little boys and told stories of squirrels in the roof tiles, where the 4 H animals were housed long ago, which cars were parked in the circular driveway, how the upstairs bathroom was custom made in lavendar as it was his mother's favorite color. He told stories of Grandpa Sid and Great Uncle Carl at family parties. . .a favorite being when Grandpa Sid took a garden hose up to the balcony on New Year's Eve. In the summers that followed, we returned to Uncle Jack every July, and reunited with the Montys as well as Sandy and Cheryl Demien. We met our cousin Cathie and took her to the 118th Street house to see this great part of our family history. In the years following that first visit, we exchanged letters and family pictures, and just loved knowing our Uncle Jack. We only wished we were close enough to stop by, take him out, and just enjoy his company more than a few days in the summertime. Last summer, we could tell that Uncle Jack was having some trouble remembering things, but he was trying so hard to stay independent. He wanted so much to start swimming again to make his legs stronger, and we tried to hook him up with his favorite barber and find the building for his coming therapy appointment. We sat near the aviary at Harwood and just enjoyed being together while his friends June and Dorothy played Bingo. He loved Harwood and Wauwatosa so much. We couldn't make our trip to Wisconsin this summer, and I will always be sad not to have been able to give Uncle Jack one last hug. My sister's husband passed away in June so she couldn't go, my Mom wasn't feeling strong enough for travel, and Chris and I tossed around the idea of maybe a short visit this fall. Some things aren't meant to be. I love the picture I have in my heart... Uncle Jack last summer standing outside of Harwood waving good-bye with a little kick in the air and that wonderful twinkle in his eye beaming as he waved that last good-bye. I know he is in heaven and am grateful the for the heaven he brought to my life. I love you, Uncle Jack, and know that you are in heaven walking strong with all of the loved ones who were waiting for you. Give my dad a big hug for me. I will miss you, and will treasure always the time we shared. Carol

We never got to spend much time with Jack but are glad he and Mary were able to be with us when Carey and Mark brought Rebecca and Emily to FL when they were 6/7 wks old and sharing grandparenting was so enjoyable. We remember the pleasant times together at their time- share (Four Winds) in Florida where we could share our love for our children and grandchildren. We know they are watching from above with that same love and devotion.

My Dad, Ray Hansen was Uncle Jack's brother and for many, many years I lost touch with Jack after our family moved to California in the 1950's. My sister, Carol Guenther said it for all of our family in her tribute above. Jack was an amazing, smart, funny and loveable man. It was my privilige to spend time with him at the end of his life. These are memories I will treasure forever. I know he is in heaven with my Dad and they are smiling down on us now... With Love, Chris