Horst Hansen

He immigrated to the United States by ship in 1957, sponsored by his aunt and uncle, Marie (Clausen) and Hans Koch. He settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he began a long and steady career with Kohl’s Bakery. Horst became a proud U.S. citizen in 1969.

Horst Hansen served honorably in the United States Army from November 1958 to December 1960. He completed his full term of active duty, including overseas service in West Germany, where he carried out supply and logistics work essential to daily military operations. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, qualified as a Marksman with the M-1 rifle, and was honorably discharged at the completion of his service.

Horst and Judith Lee Dietz married in 1971, and together they welcomed their daughter, Karin Ann, in 1973. Judy passed away in 1974, leaving Horst a widower and devoted single father, with a great deal of help from Tante Marie.

In 1986, Horst moved to Texas to accept a plant manager position with Sterling Foods. After his retirement, he continued offering his expertise, consulting for several food-industry projects, including work with Lone Star Bakery in San Antonio.

That same year, he married Ursula Hoeckel Obst, gaining three adult stepchildren: Rosemarie (Ed) Rogers, Patricia (Toby) Netko, and Timothy Obst, all of Wisconsin.

In 2023, Horst and Ursula relocated to Lubbock, Texas, to be closer to his daughter and her family—a move that brought him comfort, connection, and care in his later years.

Horst is preceded in death by his parents, Hans and Anni Hansen of Selk, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany; his first wife, Judith Lee Dietz; his sponsors, Onkel Hans and Tante Marie Koch of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and his sisters-in-law Ingeburg (Reimer) Hansen of West Bend, Wisconsin, and Enriqueta (Navarro) Hansen of Germany.

He is survived by his wife, Ursula Hansen; his daughter, Karin (John) Slyker; and his grandchildren: John Benjamin Slyker, Katerina Leigh Slyker, and Jillian Marie Slyker.

He is also survived by his brothers, Hans Hansen of West Bend, Wisconsin, and Uwe Hansen of Heidenau, Lower Saxony, Germany; nephews Michael (Susan) Hansen of West Bend, Wisconsin, and Carlos Hansen of Germany; niece Susanne (Chris) Bakken of Campbellsport, Wisconsin; numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews; also cousins and extended family in Germany.

The family also wishes to recognize two people who were an extraordinary support during Horst’s illness: Kate’s boyfriend, Jody Nevill, and Ben’s fiancée, Brooke Lazo. Their presence and care meant more than words can express.

The family would also like to extend their sincere gratitude to the compassionate staff of Covenant Health System and Hospice of the South Plains for their care and support.

Horst will be remembered for his strong work ethic and meticulous data-keeping, as well as his endless gallery of unintentional selfies, his late-in-life devotion to Raising Cane’s, and his lifelong love of strawberry ice cream.