Harold Elias Hansen

Harold Elias HANSEN Harold (Hal) Elias Hansen died peacefully, January 21, 2011. It was a great blessing that so many friends and family were able to visit him and express their love in the weeks prior to his passing. Hal was born October 2, 1919 in Rosvik, Norway. At age 5 he immigrated with his parents, Haakon and Elfrida Hansen to Vancouver, B.C., then to Seattle at the age of 8. After graduating from Garfield High School in 1939, he joined his father in commercial fishing. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Ship's Cook during WW II. After the war he started his career as an entrepreneur, which led him to founding The Alpine House, a very popular ski and sporting goods store in Bellevue, WA. Later, Hal enrolled in Lutheran Bible Institute and was soon asked to become Business Manager. When he retired, he claimed he had not retired, but was re-fired to benefit others even more. Hal took Jesus' message of "whatever you do unto others, you do unto me" very seriously. Hal was a long time member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Mercer Island as well as Mercer Island Covenant Church. He actively supported the beginning of Primm Tabernacle Church. He served as Deacon of Outreach Ministry at Mercer Island Covenant Church for over 10 years which led Hal to become very involved with Operation Nightwatch and Echo Glen Children's Center. Hal is preceded in death by his first wife, Maxine Jarvis, mother of their children. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, children Heather (Larry) Brynn, Paul Hansen and Sonja (Wes) Kalbfleisch, stepchildren John Gwinn, Mary (Craig) Nicholls, Molly (Dave) Weller and Jennifer (Rob) McGlothern and 13 grand children: Colin, Melissa, Kelly, and Rachael Brynn, Acacia and Soren Kalbfleisch, Tim Gwinn, Julia (Darren) and Katherine (Matthew) Nicholls, Margaret and Sam McGlothern, and Simon and Grace Weller. Hal also leaves numerous family members in Norway. Hal was a true Viking: adventuresome, fearless and an avid fisherman, skier, cook, and sailor. Whatever he undertook, he always commited his full energy and generous heart. He will be long remembered and his good works will carry on. Mass of the Resurrection will be at St. Patricks Church (815 E. Edgar, Seattle) at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 31st followed by a reception at the church. The burial will take place following the reception at 2:30 at Sunset Hills in Bellevue. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be designated to Operation Nightwatch, PO Box 21181, Seattle, WA 98111 or Providence Mt. St. Vincent Foundation, 4831 52th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98126 where he received such loving care the last 3 1/2 years. http://harold.hansen.muchloved.com/