Gary Melvin Hansen
Wed, 09/27/2023 - 11:07am
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Gary Melvin Hansen was born March 24, 1941 at Omaha, NE to Harland Melvin Hansen and Elsie Elizabeth Appleby-Hansen. Gary attended schools in Blair, NE. He graduated from high school and received his private pilot license in 1958 from the North Omaha Airport. He attende Dana College and took accounting classes.
He then started working for his Uncle Byron Appleby who was involved with flying. From there, his flying career took off. His love for flying quickly became a career he would enjoy for over 40+ years. He earned his Commercial and Flight Instructor ratings in various types of airplanes, helicopters and gliders. Every day of flying was an adventure that never felt like a job.
He was an airport manager for several airports throughout Nebraska. He also taught and soloed several people throughout the years. Those students included both of his brothers Bob Hansen and Randy Blomgren, daughters Marilyn and Robin, and his son Gary II.
Then in October 1978, he moved his family from Gordon, Ne to Faith, SD and worked for the State of South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks as an ADC Pilot. He retired from the State after 31 years of service.
Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, waterskiing, scuba-diving, woodworking, singing, riding his motorcycle and flying, and spending time with his family. He loved playing a good game of cards. When playing cards, someone would always ask ”What rules are we following? Hansen rules or Book of Hoyle rules?” Card games could get very serious and competitive at times.
After 51 years of marriage, his wife Janice passed away July 4, 2013.
Gary met and married another wonderful and loving lady Gail Kass-Hansen on December 30, 2015. With being retired, Gary and Gail traveled around in their motor home and covered a lot of miles stopping and seeing family and friends along the way.
In February 2019, Gary and Gail were involved in a very serious car wreck. From this time on, Gail devoted her life to assisting and caring for Gary, her love, at home.
He was a devoted brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle. He loved helping others. He will be greatly missed.
Surviving family members include his wife, Gail Kass-Hansen of Hartford, SD; children, Dodie (Duane) Bomar of Sheridan, WY; Marilyn (Jarvis) Palmer of Faith, SD; Robin (Brian) Morris of Carmel, IN; Gary (Jackie) Hansen II of Black Hawk, SD; and Mike (Sandy) Davis of Chino, CA.; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his mother, Elsie Blomgren, his wife Janice Hansen, and sister-in-law Kathie Hansen; numerous brother and sister-in laws, nieces and nephews.