WILLARD EVAN HANSEN

1916 - 2015

Willard Evan Hansen, longtime Mount Vernon resident and educator, died March 18, 2015.

Willard was born July 15, 1916, in Ellensburg, Wash., the fourth of five children of Henry and Ella (Kaaro) Hansen, both of Norwegian descent.

The pioneering Hansen family operated a 225-acre farm northwest of Ellensburg on the Yakima River. The children worked on the farm but also attended a two-room country school, walking five miles each day round-trip. The family lost the farm during the Great Depression in 1930, then moved nearby where they leased 100 acres to grow potatoes, eventually regaining financial independence.

Willard graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1934, then completed college at Washington State University where he earned a teaching certificate in 1939. He began his teaching career at Redmond High School, where he taught for three years. While there he met Helen Pope, whose parents owned Redmond Hardware. Willard and Helen were married on July 7, 1942. They made their home in Mount Vernon, where Willard taught high school farm shop and agriculture classes. Sons Evan and Roger were born in 1944 and 1947, respectively.

In 1946, Willard and Helen bought the Skagit Grain and Seed Company, which they operated until 1965. That fall, the state agricultural education office asked Willard to teach a new college-level farm management class, which he continued to do at Skagit Valley Community College for many years. Willard also led tours to several farming regions; this evolved into sightseeing tours to California, Hawaii, New England and Europe (especially Norway). Willard retired from teaching in 1979 but continued leading tours until age 88.

Helen passed away in 1983. Willard then married Clara Elde. In 2003 Willard and Clara moved to Mountain Glen Retirement Center. Clara died in 2013. Willard continued to live at Mountain Glen until his death.

Willard was a longtime volunteer in Kiwanis, well known for preparing delicious barbequed salmon at countless Kiwanis fundraisers. He remained active into his 90s in Kiwanis, with the Gideons and at Bethany Covenant Church, where he served in various capacities including Sunday School superintendent. He was a member of Bethany Covenant for 73 years. A born-and-bred Norwegian, Willard was known for telling "Sven and Ole" jokes. He loved to entertain his grandchildren with these and other jokes, usually eliciting a few groans. He had a gift for growing flowers and was admired for his beautiful beds and hanging baskets.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ernest and George Hansen, and sisters Elsie Schilling and Marjorie Swett.

Willard is survived by sons Evan (Linda) of Sun Lakes, AZ and Roger (Diane) Hansen of Henderson, NV; grandchildren Dionne (Chris) Dalhamer, Shawn Hansen, Kerry (Joshua) Meskin, Tyler (Denise) Hansen; six great-grandchildren (Stephanie, Alexandra, and Ashley Dalhamer; Zoe and Michael Meskin; Kiana Hansen); step-children Bob (Bonnie), Randy (Becky), and Susan Elde; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Willard's life is planned for Wednesday, April 1, 2:00 pm at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 So. 18th St., Mount Vernon, WA 98274.

The family is deeply grateful to the staff at Mountain Glen Retirement Center, volunteers from Hospice of the NorthWest, and the caring staff and members of Bethany Covenant Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Bethany Covenant Church Memorial Fund, the Gideons, or a charity of your choice.