Shane Merle Hansen

Shane Merle Hansen Aug. 24, 1968 - Sept. 29, 2011 Shane "Sonny" Merle Hansen, 43, passed away peacefully with family and friends at his side Thursday, September 29, 2011. Sonny was born August 24, 1968, in Boise, ID. He was the eldest son of Steve and Sandy Hansen. He graduated from Ontario High School in 1986. He attended Treasure Valley Community College and then transferred to Eastern Oregon University graduating with an OSU Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics. During his High School years he participated in baseball, football, wrestling and rodeo. Some of his accomplishments were: Babe Ruth All Stars Baseball Team, 1982 Champion Jr Bull Rider of the Western States Junior Rodeo Association, three year qualifier for the National High School Rodeo Association riding Bulls and Barebacks, 1986 Oregon State High School Champion Bareback Rider, the National Intercollegiate Student President in 1992 and the Faculty Director of Northwest Region for several years. In 1993 his twin boys Clayton and Chase Hansen were born. As a father he adored the boys and treasured the relationship he shared with them. In 1994 Sonny accepted the position of TVCC Rodeo coach and Horse Production Instructor. Some of the highlights of his PRCA career were picking up at the Pendleton Round-Up, Columbia River Circuit Finals, Dodge Circuit Finals, Chief Joseph Days, Farm City Pro Rodeo, Lewiston Round-Up, Snake River Stampede, St. Paul 4th of July Rodeo and College National Finals Rodeo . Sonny was a very accomplished horseman and trainer. He worked hard for years to improve his Hansen and Sons Ranch Quarter Horse Breeding program and was very successful in achieving a superior bloodline. On November 20, 2009 Sonny married the love of his life, Jackie. Together they built a home in Ontario where the front door was always open to all of their family and friends, old and new. All new comers would have to take the tack room tour. The barn and tack room are lined with memories of pictures of his buddies and favorite horses. Sonny was a devoted son, brother, husband and father and is loved by all who he touched. Throughout the rodeo circuit Sonny's wisdom and witty sense of humor brought him close to all his students, rodeo teammates and family. Family and friends were very important to Sonny, and he enjoyed nothing better than teaching his boys, nieces and students the skills of rodeo. "NO!" was not a part of his vocabulary. He has now gone to join his beloved horse, Wilson, and be in the big rodeo in the sky. He is survived by his spouse Jackie Hansen, sons' Chase and Clayton Hansen & Jared and Trevor Engle of Ontario; parents Steve and Sandy Hansen of Ontario; brother Shad Hansen, his wife Jessi, and nieces Baylee and Hannah Hansen of Ontario; brother Freddy Hansen and niece Miah Hansen and nephew Daxx Hansen of Weiser, ID; Grandparents Merle Hansen of Meridian, ID and Betty Bess of Boise, ID; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and really close friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Lavern Hansen and his grandfather Alton Johnson. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 4th at 12:00 pm at the Treasure Valley Community College Gymnasium, 650 College Blvd, Ontario. Gathering to follow at the Four Rivers Cultural Center, 676 SW 5th Ave, Ontario. Bill Williams of Sunrise Christian Church will be officiating. In lieu of flowers please send charitable contributions to either the TVCC Rodeo Club Account, Attn: Roger Finley, 650 College Blvd, Ontario, OR 97914 or the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Memo Section: Sonny Hansen, 101 Prorodeo Dr, Colorado Spring, CO 80919.