WALTER E. HANSEN JR. is shown here at funeral services for his father Walter Hansen Sr. Saturday at The Promise Church in Woodland. Hansen Jr. eulogized his father before audience members spoke.
WOODLAND – Family members and friends of Walter Hansen Sr. gathered to remember the Woodland-area icon Feb. 20 at The Promise Church in Woodland.
Walter E. Hansen, 86, noted historian and community leader, died Feb. 12, 2016, at home in Woodland. His son, Walter E. Hansen Jr., “Jay,” eulogized his father in a touching recollection of his own young adult life.
“He was my best friend,” said Jay Hansen, describing his father as a man of action who took on numerous projects and “pushed himself” to achieve goals.
Jay said he once thought that his father's independence and determination were going to kill him.
Jay recalled how he and his father opened a business together. “He had an eye for quality and an eye for business,” said Jay. “Character was everything to dad,” meaning doing the right thing even when no one was looking.
Jay listed some of his father's favorite sayings, such as “Don't put the cart before the horse,” “Don't buy it unless you can afford it,” and ”Don't saddle yourself with debt.”
Jay said he dropped out of high school against his father's advice, but even then Walter Sr. helped Jay as he left for Alaska. “You're going nowhere fast,” the elder Hansen told his son.
“The most important thing to dad was family,” said Jay, describing how his father would come home from work late at night and still have dinner with his children and carry them each upstairs to bed.
The family had a tradition of attending a rodeo at the Fourth of July, said Jay. Even in declining health, Walter Sr. attended the rodeo and climbed the bleacher stairs to a favored seat. “He pushed himself,”said Jay.
Walter Hansen Sr. and his wife, Donna, were baptized together in 1954, a year after they were married. “He prayed for forgiveness” for some of the things he had done in his life, said Jay.
In ill health, Hansen told his family, “At least there’s no chance I will live to see Hillary become president,’’ said Jay, adding that his father looked forward to a woman becoming president, just not that woman.
“Are there frogs in heaven,” Jay asked rhetorically, remembering that his father conducted the frog jumping contest at Woodland's Planter's Day celebration for 47 years.
Pastor Steve Mauldin of Clover Valley Community Church conducted the services and noted that Walter Sr. had attended many funerals and generally had something to say at each one. Among those speaking Feb. 20 were:
• Noel Johnson: “We were very close. What a wonderful man he was. He knew I loved him and he loved me.”
• Adam Bailey, oldest grandson: Found Walter in the barn one day and said he, Adam, was not well. “It gets a lot worse when you get older,” said the sage 85-year-old Hansen. “I was so lucky to have had that time with him.”
• A neighbor: Our parents were friends. There was never a quarrel. It's hard to say goodbye.
• Amanda Robinson, of America's Family Diner: Remembered how Walter's eyes and smile would light up the day. Walter told her he was moving back to his farm and wouldn't be eating at the diner any more. “I can't die with a bunch of old people,” Walter told her.
• Martin Hansen, son: Said his father was very hard working. Told the story about his father digging up and repairing a broken water pipe from the well to the house. “He was a machine.”
• Burle Sargent, son-in-law: “It won't be the same without him. I can't drive by the farm house. He never meddled in your business but gave advice if you asked for it. He was a big solid rock for all of us.”
• Pastor Steve Mauldin: “Today we pay tribute to a great man. Walter didn't struggle forgiving other people. He had trouble forgiving himself. When you're right with your maker, peace comes.”
The services included music by grandson Walter E. Hansen III who sang Peace in the Valley, and by Clay Dye who sang Proud to be an American.
Burial was at Hayes Cemetery, with the Woodland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Hansen was born May 15, 1929, in Woodland, to August and Esther Hansen. His death was attributed to congestive heart failure.
Hansen attended Green Mountain School and graduated from Woodland High School in 1947. He worked for Sears Roebuck in California and in Portland for six years, then began a long career in the insurance business. At one time he had 300 agents under contract. He continued in the insurance business until December 2014.
Along the way he and his son Walter Jr. established North Fork Motors in Woodland, a business now run by Walter Hansen Jr. At one time, Hansen owned 30 collectible cars. At the time of his death, he still had six, including a 1929 Ford Model A Roadster that had been used in parades.
Hansen's grandparents, Peter and Augusta Hansen, acquired a 100-acre farm in the Hayes area of Clark County in 1897, raising dairy cattle. The farm was later run by Hansen's father, August. Walt Hansen lived on the farm, which had been reduced to 40 acres, at the time of death.
Hansen was active in the Woodland area for many years. He served on the Planters Day Committee over 60 years, and managed the annual frog jumping contest for 47 years. He was a noted area historian. Hansen and his wife, Donna, established the original Woodland Cub Scout Pack 531 and led it from 1963 until 1978.
Hansen chaired the U.S. Bicentennial Committee for the Woodland area in 1976 and served on both the state centennial committee in 1989 and the Woodland centennial committee in 2006. He ran unsuccessfully for Clark County commissioner in 1976 and for the Woodland school board. He was elected to the Hayes Cemetery District board and served on it until his death. He was also elected to the Woodland Swimming Pool District board. He was named Woodland Citizen of the Year in 2013.
Hansen was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Donna, in 2010, grandson Ivan Bailey, sister Donna Hansen, brother Robert Hansen and his parents.
Survivors include sisters Marie Haynes of Battle Ground and Hilda Wiggins-Halsey of Oregon, brother Frank Hansen of College Place, WA, sons Walter (Teresa) Hansen Jr. of Woodland, Monty (Shelly) Hansen and Brad (Lan) Hansen, both of Vancouver, Martin (Rhonda) Hansen of Edgewood, WA, and Larry (Kathy) Hansen of Idaho, daughters Lori (Burle) Hansen-Sargent of Woodland, Gena (Jim) Hansen-Bailey of Vancouver and Lindsey Carrow of Redmond, aunt Gladys Burrill, 18 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
