Eugene Felix Hansen Sr.

1925 - 2010

Eugene Felix
Hansen, Sr.
3/10/1925 - 12/6/2010


Eugene Felix Hansen, Sr. (Gene) was born on March 10, 1925 and returned home to his Lord and to his beautiful wife, Grace (Chela), on December 7, 2010 in Lincoln, Calif. "Gene" was born to Felix Frederick Hansen and Esther Louise Hansen in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife Chela.
Gene leaves behind his loving and devoted daughters, Jackie Burnett (Dan) of Lincoln, Gail Poole (Dennis) of Lincoln, Donna Rennie (Geoff) of Colfax, and son Eugene Hansen, Jr. (Patty) of Sumner, Washington; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister Darlene Powell and nieces Terri Powell and Stacy Ferris. Gene also leaves behind cousins and many wonderful friends.
He attended school in Mobridge and Raymond, South Dakota. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. It was while he was in the Army that he met the love of his life, Chela, at a dance in San Francisco in March of 1945. They were married just two months later on May 18, 1945 and celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in May of 2009. Chela died in July of 2009.
After discharge from the Army, Gene went to the University of Oregon where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. He later held jobs with Libby McNeil & Libby and Hewlett Packard. In 1960, he changed the course of his life by becoming a teacher. He began his teaching career in Susanville, California and ended it in Auburn, California. During his life, he touched the lives of so many students, and people he met. He had an uncanny way of making others feel like they were family. Many of his former students, along with friends of his children, think of him as father, grandfather, and friend.
Gene was always going to school. He had an insatiable appetite for learning. he earned his Master's degree in 1976. In 1966, Gene was accepted by Columbia University to be sent to Africa to teach in a Teacher's College in Marangu, Tanzania. He and his family spent two year in Tanzania. After returning from Africa, the family settled down for the next 33 years in Auburn, Calif., where Gene taught at Placer High School and Chana High School.
While living in auburn, Gene and Chela continued to travel. They were counselors for the EF program and took many groups to places like Spain, Mexico, Ireland, Germany, Greece, and Italy. They spent time in Peru, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and so many other places most of us just dream about. They made life long friends from these trips. Gene also was the recipient of a Fulbright Hayes scholarship which sent him to India for six weeks to immerse himself in their culture. He was privileged to have an interview with India Ghandi, Prime Minister of India.
He was a very spiritual man and loved his Lord with all his might and looked forward to the day he returned home. He was a long time member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in auburn and St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Rocklin.
Gene will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved him. The staff and residents at Villa Del Rey Assisted Living Community are especially saddened by his death. The family would like to thank the staff of Villa Del Rey for their ongoing excellent care, kindness, and concern. They have become like family. We would also like to thank the VITAS Hospice group who provided much comfort and support during our father's last days.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gideon's or VITAS Hospice.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 13, 2010 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church on Lonetree Drive in Rocklin, Calif. Viewing will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the memorial service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the New Auburn Cemetery, Collins Drive, Auburn on December 13, 2010 at 1 p.m.