George Benjamin Hansen Senior

George Benjamin Hansen Sr., 89, of Leavenworth, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, 24 March 2022 , after a long battle with heart and kidney issues, from cancer. He passed away at ANEW Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Easton while under hospice care at the facility.

George was born in Leavenworth on June 25, 1932, the son of John and Fannie Hansen.  George was married to Virginia Lee Wells on February 27, 1951; they were married 65 years and had four children – 2 boys and 2 girls. Virginia passed away on November 9, 2016.

George, one of 9 children (6 brothers and 3 sisters), was a lifelong resident of Leavenworth where he held a number of jobs, made many friends, and continued many friendships throughout his life.  He was blessed to be surrounded by many family members to whom he always showed great devotion. This was especially true towards his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  As with all families, there were disagreements but, regardless, George's devotion to his family never wavered.  Even later in his life, when his medical condition became more and more debilitating, his family devotion continued to shine so his family could draw strength from it.

Here are some thoughts from family members:

George Jr : "My father has passed away. While I am so deeply saddened at the loss of my Dad, I am also happy for him as the past few years have not been easy for him as he suffered through his own medical issues even after Mom had passed from hers. But these have now come to an end. He once said to me, as he lay in his bed at the hospice facility, 'I think I hear your Mother calling for me and I am ready to join her. I have really missed her.' Dad was at peace with his situation and was ready to be with Mom.  I know they are together again, free of their pain, and looking down on us. I just hope and pray that I can be as strong a man as Dad was – a man who always made family his first priority and did whatever he had to so as to keep them safe.  I will always do my best, Dad, using every lesson you ever taught me."

Debbie : "My husband tells me "I may look like my mother but I am so my dad!"  I cannot think of a better compliment than to be compared to a most loving, caring and honest, loyal and supportive man.  His family is everything to him and I never once questioned that.  It was proven time and time again but never so much as when he cared for our mother during the years of her illness.  In my eyes he achieved sainthood.  I adore my father and sincerely hope I thanked him enough for all he did for us and for the person he taught me to be.  I will miss and think of him every single day and always be grateful that he loved me."

Amy (granddaughter) : "When I was a little girl, one Christmas Eve you carried me outside onto the porch, you told me to look into the sky. You said, "Do you see him, Sis? Do you see his sleigh and his reindeer?" I can still see the image you helped to create in my head today as well as I did that night. When I was a young girl I loved spending time in the home you created. The whole family would gather. We would eat and play and laugh and cry. Anytime I was hurt your house would be where we went. You and Grandma created at home for all of us where we could come anytime and your door was always open to us. We all knew we were safe and loved. Even after I moved away Kansas was home because you and Grandma were there.  When I was a young woman you were my example of the man I wanted to find to walk through life with. Your love and devotion to your wife, my grandmother is what Saints are made of. You took the best care of her. I never heard you complain. You made it look like an honor.  And now you are leaving.  You are the most wonderful man. You have always loved me, never disappointed me, every memory we share is a happy memory. I will share those memories with Mo. He has not had the time with you that I was fortunate to have. But he is grateful for the time that he has had. He has your eyes. I will always be able to see you in him. Thank you for being you. Thank you for your strength and your grace. Thank you for your stubbornness and your sense of humor.  I will miss you like crazy and I love you more than chocolate cake."

Karla (daughter-in-law): Ever willing and able to provide for his family with nuggets of wisdom, warm hugs, and chuckles, Benny's character jangled like a pocket full of change. Children giggled and squealed with delight at his genuine adoration whenever the family gathered. Quietly, he provided a secure and stable environment for all to thrive. He was a resilient, hard-working man who never wavered in his support and observed life with demonstrable mirth and a twinkle in his eye.  Farewell, Dear Benny. Take Gin to jitterbug, country drive or step out on the porch with a glass of tea.

Kresta (granddaughter): The first thing my mother ever said about me was "She looks like Benny!" When I was blessed with my own daughter, I was clever enough to pass my grandpa's "pretty face" on to her. Every time I see her face or look in her eyes, I see the same ornery twinkle that lit up Grandpa Benny's face whenever I looked at his. His body has passed from this life, but his love and spirit live on through the people he was proudest to call his. My grandpa's devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren never wavered or waned; not when times were good and especially not when times were hard. His heart was big enough that when each of us was born he gave us a piece to carry with our own so we could always follow his love home. He is at peace now, returned to the love of his life, and for that I am only grateful. I don't need to say goodbye because his heart is always with mine and when I miss his face, I just need to wait for my daughter's pirate smile.

Meredith (Niece): Growing up, I spent many fun-filled summers with him and Aunt Virginia. They both spoiled me in every way possible. Uncle Bennie affectionately called me "Squirt." While we always had lots of good, clean fun together, when Aunt Virginia wasn't looking, Uncle Bennie made sure that I experienced a little bit of healthy mischief--such as throwing rocks at moving objects! Being the honest man and loyal husband he was, Uncle Bennie would always confess later and laugh heartily about our adventures--as Aunt Virginia gently scolded him before joining in on the laughter. "All in good fun", as Uncle Bennie would say! I'm so thankful for those memories.  As an adult, I developed tremendous respect and admiration for Uncle Bennie as I watched his relentless hard work and dedication to supporting his family and his unconditional, steadfast devotion to caring for Aunt Virginia when her health failed over many years. If ever a man upheld his wedding vows with dignity and grace, it was Uncle Bennie. I am thankful for having witnessed and been a beneficiary of the countless ways Uncle Bennie blessed our family. I am truly a better person because of him.  And while Uncle Bennie will be sorely missed, I am thankful that he is no longer struggling and is now where he ultimately longed to be--with the apple of his eye and love of his life, Aunt Virginia, into eternity. God rest his soul.

Vicki (granddaughter): Coffee drinker. Canned vegetables stocker. Spiral ham cooker. Chinese buffet fan. Joker. Quiet. Loving. Family man. Good.

My memories of Grandpa Benny are a string of moments, of feelings of love and laughter. The words spoken often escaped my mind but the feelings are solidly imprinted. He made me smile with his jokes, feel loved with his embrace, and important with his words.

He taught me how to reheat coffee, to properly check the pond when frozen before stepping onto it, that organic produce is a sales tactic, and that melons don't tell you how ripe they are when you knock on them. He was the king of quirky sound effects. He had the most epic belly button that all of us kids poked at (booped.)

His words reminded me that I am special and that his love was unconditional. His presence was strong, proud, and encompassing. He thrived on being good. A good man, husband, Dad, grandpa, great-grandpa. This goodness was unwavering and building year after year. He did not judge us for who we were or the choices we made, although he did make a good joke out of them sometimes.

Grandpa Benny's humor was undeniable. His punchlines were quick and delivered just so. I recently was speaking with him about my kids and he asked how old they had gotten. He then asked me how old I was now. As soon as I told him, he without missing a beat said "dang Vic, you are old." My response was "Gee, thanks." To which he replies, with his sweet grandpa Benny chuckle, "Well, you're welcome." I could just tell what his facial expression was and that if I had been standing next to him I would have seen that coy little smirk he had and that special eye sparkle he got whenever he was hassling one us kids.

I am proud to be Benny Hansen's granddaughter. He may not have been rich and famous but for those who are lucky enough to have known him would tell you, he was solid and he was good and he loved his family with every last fiber of his being. I will cherish forever every moment, every feeling, every word I got to have with him. I love you Grandpa Benny.

Abbie (granddaughter ): Grandpa Benny was many things to many people, but always the hands-down coolest person of my acquaintance. A gentleman who ably served as a jungle gym for generations of toddlers, crafted graceful furniture, and could hold forth with swagger on the merits of celeriac vs. kohlrabi. In addition to his many talents, Grandpa had the breadth of intelligence to be able to change his mind, an admirable quality in anyone, and until the very end was quicker with a joke than ought to be legal. I love you, Grandpa!

George is survived by a daughter Deborah (Hansen) Ross of Las Vegas, NV and two sons, George Hansen Jr. of Sierra Vista, AZ and Ralph Hansen of Leavenworth.  George was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, and a daughter, Sharon (Hansen) Smith.  In addition, George is survived by 5 grandchildren (Amy, Abrienda, Kresta, Victoria, and Ethan), 7 great-grandchildren (Benjamin, Brooklynn, Bronwen, Morrison, Riley, Elias, and Parker), and many other family and friends.

A memorial service will be conducted on Wednesday, 30 March 2022, at 11:00 AM at the Davis Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.