Donald Dean Hansen was born at home, January 18, 1943. He was the 8th child of 10 children born to Alfred and Jennie Irene (Aydelott) Hansen and they lived in the Lone Star area. He passed away on January 20, 2025 at home at the age of 82.
Don attended Lone Star School until his junior year, when he moved to Yuma (1959) and graduated from Yuma High School in 1960. While living in Yuma he worked as a plumber’s assistant with his Uncle Hap Gains and also at the Enco filling station. In 1960 he worked with Dean McMurphy in construction. During this time, he also helped out on the family farm. In 1962 and 1963Don went on a harvest crew cutting wheat from Texas to Canada.
Don was drafted into the Army in 1964 but was discharged in 1965 on a Hardship to come home and work the family farm due to his father’s health problems. In 1967, when center pivot irrigation came to Yuma, Don went to work for Lundvall Brothers of Greeley. He started out working on a set up crew installing sprinklers in the tri-state area. Later on, he became a service tech on the sprinkler systems.
In 1967 he met Sherrie Meis and they were married in 1968. They lived in Akron to start with, later on moving their trailer to a site south east of Yuma. Don quit the sprinkler business in 1970 and went to work for Rib-Eye Ranch, raising Santa Gertrudis cattle.
In 1971 Don had the opportunity to get back into farming by leasing irrigated ground. In 1972 they leased the Wayne Hobson place south east of Yuma and purchased this place in 1974. During this time their first son, Curtis, was born with Andrew (Andy), Trent (TJ) and Ryan following. In the mid to late 70’s Don was involved in Modified Tractors, pulling in the 7000 and 9000-pound class. He traveled to several pull in the state of Colorado and helped with the state pulls at the Denver Coliseum. As the sport grew and got more expensive, he retired. A few years later he found remote control airplanes and enjoyed flying them for a couple of years.
In 2004 Don was one of the 1st farmers in this area to start using a strip tiller. He and Sherrie were able to farm the land without extra help except at harvest time. In 2013, due to health issues, their son Ryan started helping with the farming. Don was still able to help with the farming by driving a tractor or going to the shop to supervise the boys. He was well enough this last year to drive grain cart during harvest. Don loved working with the soil and making the equipment work better. He was always modifying something.
Don took pride in teaching his boy the way of farming. There wasn’t enough to keep the boys on the farm but they all took farming or ranching jobs. He always enjoyed when the grandkids would visit. He would tease them a little bit just so they knew that he loved them.
Don was a simple and honest man. He never looked for praise in what he did but he was always proud when someone commented on the good his sons or grandkids were doing. He was devoted to his wife, his sons and their wives, grandchildren and the land he farmed.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Jennie Irene (Aydelott) Hansen, In-laws Clatus and Ruth (Tyson) Meis, brothers LaVern, Jerry and Bob Hansen, sister Verna Mae Miller, and Lorna Frick, in-laws Reinold Frick, Johnnie Beth Hansen, Elmer Miller, Harold (Sonny) Aagesen, Jean Hansen, Kathleen Meis, Cecilia (Meis)Lester, Max Metzler and nieces Crystal Metzler and Shelle Taylor. Don is survived by his wife, Sherrie, of 56 years, their four sons Curtis (Jodi), Andy, Trent and Ryan (Megan), Eight grandchildren, Jaden, Kayte (Devin Nielsen), Noah, Tyson, Kaydence, Riha Jo, Chase (Paige) Moellering, and Kaci (Jordan) Perry. One great granddaughter Myla June Nielsen. His brother Max (Marty), Sisters Eunice (Ron) Beechley, Beaulah Aagesen and Donna (Gary) Pletcher. Sisters-in-laws Sandra (Nelson) Taylor, Christine Metzler, Julie Meis, Terri Hansen, brother-in-law Clayton (Peggy) Meis and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside Service – Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Yuma Cemetery. Tom Blach will lead the service. Gathering of Family and Friends will follow the service at The First Southern Baptist Church in Yuma, Colorado. Baucke Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.