Byron Theodore Hansen

Byron T. Hansen, aged 89,formally from Omaha, Nebraska, passed away at Carter Place Senior Assisted Living, Blair, Nebraska, on Monday May 29th, 2023.

Memorial service celebrating Byron's life will be held June 24th, 2023, at 11 A.M at Westlawn Hillcrest 5701 Center Street, Omaha, Nebraska, officiated by Rev. Sarah Dickinson from Discovery Presbyterian Church. Luncheon for fellowship will follow service.

Byron was born March 31,1934 in Omaha, Nebraska, to Theodore and June (Nelson) Hansen. He attended school in Omaha. Byron later married and celebrated almost 60 years of marriage with his wife Margie (Sims) Hansen. From this union they had two children, Chris and Gene. Before Byron was married he worked for The Game and Parks in Bassette , Nebraska. This job was a good fit for him since he loved the outdoors,hunting and fishing. Byron later opened a business, H&R Auto Supply in Council Bluffs, Iowa to support his family. For over 30 years he enjoyed being a successful businessman and loved interacting with customers. At his place of business he also attended to two of his favorite hobbies, a large vegetable garden as well as Beekeeping. His love for Beekeeping was shared with his son Chris, who also kept Bee's for many years. Byron loved practical jokes,he loved to get a rise out of anyone he could. One example of this is he had a silver dollar welded to the counter top at H&R Auto Supply, he loved to watch people discover it and then try to remove it. Another passion of Byron's was his roses at his home. His roses thrived under his care and were always so beautiful. He was very proud that he had one rose bush that was over 60 years old. Byron enjoyed time with his family, he loved the many trips to Minnesota with his wife, sons and the McPeake family. Larry McPeake, his brother in law, was the brother he never had, he missed him very much after he passed away. Byron also enjoyed the many years of the extended family picnics, he and Larry would cook breakfast and later in the day the food for the picnic. Byron had many friends, some for more than 60 years, one of those friends was his close friend Hank Maass. Hank would travel to Missouri Valley, Iowa where Byron lived with his son Chris and family for a short time. Hank was not well but that didn't stop him from coming to visit his friend. His last visit with Byron was two weeks before Hank passed away, he was such a good and kind friend to the end, Byron felt very privileged to have a friend like Hank. Byron also was musically talented, he found it relaxing to play his "Fun Machine" piano, he was self taught. Byron also enjoyed painting by numbers, woodworking, jigsaw puzzles, word search puzzles and old western TV shows. Byron was also a collector of many amazing and interesting things including pipes! Byron loved being a Grandpa/Papa to Dane, Marti and Erik and later a Great Grandpa to Leo. Byron never boasted about anything, he was a very private person. His bright blue eyes always reflected his playful spirit and his love for his family, friends and neighbors. Byron will be greatly missed.

Byron is preceded in death by his wife, Margie (Sims) Hansen, son , James Eugene Hansen, parents, Theodore and June (Nelson) Hansen, mother in law, Lottie (Grooms) Sims, sisters, Betty (Hansen) Longcrier and Eileen (Hansen) McPeake, brother in laws, James Sims and Larry McPeake, Aunt Vivian (Nelson) Segelberg, nephews, Wayne Longcrier, Lee Longcrier and cousin Lyle Segelberg and his wife, Donna.

He is survived by his son Chris and wife Peggy (Margaret Kueny) Hansen, grandchildren Dane Hansen, Marti Hansen and Erik Hansen, great grandchild, Leo NeVille, sister in law Doris Sims, nephews, Teddy McPeake, wife Karla, Larry (J.R) McPeake, wife Chris, David Longcrier and his significant other Patricia, Mike Sims, wife Sherry, John Sims, wife Melody, cousin Roy Segelberg, wife Kathy, former daughter in laws, Arlene (Hansen) Rouch, Catherine (Hansen) Perry and many neighbors and friends.

We would like to thank you all for celebrating Byron's life with us today, thank you also for your kind words of sympathy. We would like to leave you with these words in memory of Byron,Margie and Gene. “Grief is the last act of love we have to give to those we love. Where there is deep grief, there is great love.” May they rest in peace and may the perpetual light shine upon them. One day may we be reunited with them in the kingdom of God in Heaven, Amen.