Donald R Hansen

Don was a Colorado native born on February 7, 1938 to Frances & Gordon Hansen and Big Brother Gordon Junior. Don's childhood was not easy - his father passed away when he was 8 and his mom relinquished parental rights and Don was in multiple orphanages and foster homes - amazingly, even though these times were very difficult for him to discuss, he always managed to put a positive spin on this experience, and was forever grateful to Maude Hansen for reuniting him with his Brother Gordon and his younger sister Roberta. Don went to College View Elementary School, Flood Middle School, and graduated in 1956 from Englewood High School. Then he entered the Navy in August of 1956. He married Sue Melcher in October and their union produced the children Donald Gordon (wife Charlie), Florence, Barry (wife Nancy) and Gina (husband Ron). Don sadly left the Navy and began working at Martin Marietta. Civil service continued to call and Don entered the Denver Police Academy and was awarded badge 61-68. This was truly his life's calling and his service to his fellow man. He met Mary, the self-described "best thing that ever happened to me" and enjoyed almost 48 years of marriage. Together they had a daughter Joann. Don was the first officer in Colorado to receive the Medal of Honor that wasn't killed in the line of duty after a shoot-out he was involved in off-duty at American National Bank in 1974. The fact he took another man's life, even though the man was shooting others and Don was protecting others, was something that was a very traumatic and sad event in his life. We all were soooo blessed that it wasn't his time and we enjoyed him for many years after. After retiring from the Police Department Don worked security for the Federal Courthouse and drove RTD buses and chartered drives. In 1993 he began working with Joann in Hansen & Company and assisting Mary with watching Joann's children Grant & Junai, with whom he found great pleasure in playing and taking naps . As Grant & Junai went to school, Don & Mary worked as the delivery duo for Hansen & Company, all the way up until last month, when he just was too ill to drive. Don's favorite color: Red His favorite movie stars: John Wayne and Rita Hayworth His favorite foods: French fries, Mary's lasagna and spaghetti His favorite recording artist: Elvis Presley His children: Donald Gordon, Florence, Barry, Gina and Joann; he was second father to Richard Harry and Kathy Struble His grandchildren: Roger, Crystal, Ricky, Jasmine, Ricky, Arsenia, Grant, Trinity, Junai, Will and Barry, Jr. He asked for you to remember him in bad/off-color jokes, Colorado sunrises, the loving eyes of a dog, the Colorado Rockies, laughter and moments with those you love - for these were all things he treasures deeply and holds dear about you . On behalf of all his family, we sincerely thank you and appreciate your time celebrating and remembering him today!

Reception:
STS. Peter and Paul Hall
3900 Pierce Street
Wheat Ridge, CO
80033
Immediately following the Mass.