Wendell Hansen

Wendell Hansen, 84, a former Raynesford rancher, died of natural causes Monday at a local hospital.
His memorial service is 2 p.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel, followed by a reception for family and friends at Scottish Rite. Schnider Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Wendell is survived by his wife Pat; three sons and their families: Rick and Janine (Sweeney) of Bozeman and daughter Christina; Brent and Jenifer (Turner) of Belt and their children Dane and Jessie; and Lee on the ranch at Raynesford and his children Brock and Erica, and Lee's fiancée Jill Adams and her daughter Jacqueline. He also is survived by his brother, Harland Hansen and wife Phyllis of Great Falls.
Wendell Hansen, a lifelong rancher on Little Otter Creek in the Little Belt Mountains, now abides with his Lord in Heaven.
Wendell was born June 3, 1924, in Great Falls, was raised on the family ranch near Raynesford and graduated from Great Falls High. He joined the Navy and was aboard a destroyer in the Pacific during World War II. After his return from the war, he met, fell in love with and married the gal who became his lifelong companion, Patricia Ann Sandbo of Stanford. They raised three boys on their ranch, and his passion was providing them with the best lives he could offer.
Wendell built a baseball field for his boys and the rest of the Raynesford boys, coached them in Little League Baseball and also in grade school basketball. They even won some games. He cleared timber, strung rope up a hill to an old jalopy, and set up a cabin on a snowy hill on the ranch. The Hansen family and many friends learned to ski at the Hansen ski hill.
Wendell's father was well-known for always having good saddle horses on the ranch, and Wendell continued that tradition. He trained, sold and traded ranch horses, and even a few race horses, throughout his life. There was always a few head near the barn that were ready to ride, including a decent one for each of his boys. Nothing beat a Christmas-Day walk out to the barn to find your new colt.
Family, horses and ranching were the essence of his life, and he lived it well.
May God rest the soul of this Montana cowboy.
Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.