Larry Hansen

Larry Lee Hansen, 85 of Chappell, passed away Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, CO. 

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Berea Lutheran Church with Pastor Scotty Ray officiating. Burial will follow in the Berea Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 3:00 pm. to 6:00 pm. at the Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home in Chappell.

The service will be streamed live via Holechek-Bondegard Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hbfunerals) and available to watch after the service.

Memorials can be made to the Berea Lutheran Church or the Chappell Volunteer Fire Department.

Larry Hansen was born in Chappell to Harry and Anna (Elmquist) Hansen. He had one older brother Kenny. They lived on a farm east of Chappell. Larry lost both of his parents when he was young. He spent a large part of his early years with his big brother Kenny, Aunt Sylvia Johnson, and Uncle August Elmquist. 

Larry graduated from Deuel County High School in 1957 and attended a year at Luther College in Wahoo, NE. Larry came back to Chappell to help his brother on the farm and ran a hay baling business. Besides farming, he also loved to race cars. He built a dragster with Gerald Kalb called “Little Thing” and raced throughout California and Indiana in the early sixties. 

On May 18, 1963, Larry married Susan Ann Milton and had two children: Mike and Kim. Larry continued farming and became the first weed district superintendent in Deuel County. He continued in this job until he bought out the Sample Brothers petroleum business and began Hansen Petroleum. He and his wife Susan ran this business side by side for 51 years. They retired from business in 2023. 

Larry was a lifelong member of Berea Lutheran Church, a member of the Chappell Volunteer Fire Department, Chappell Rural Fire Board, Chappell City Council, and was the Deuel County Fair King. He also enjoyed spending time hunting and shooting blue rock. 

Larry was one of the kindest, gentlest souls. He always had a smile on his face and a story to tell. He helped out many travelers passing through Chappell and many friends throughout the county. He loved to collect rocks and loved beautiful flowers, wildflowers especially. He knew all the best greenhouses in a hundred-mile radius of Chappell and rototilled many garden beds for family and friends. Larry was one of the original members who got the Julesburg Drag Strip started, and in 2020, with the help of the Schwartz Brothers, he raced “Little Thing” one last time at the Julesburg Drag Strip.

Larry is survived by his wife Susan; Son Mike (Joan) of Chappell; Daughter Kim (Bruce) Hlava of New York. His 4 grandchildren Zach (Jena) Hansen, Ben (Sarah) Hansen, Patrick Hansen and Kaycee Hlava; 3 great grandchildren (Ladd, June and Harlow) and 2 arriving soon. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.