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MARQUETTE, MI – Donald L. Hansen, 92, of Marquette, passed away Monday evening, May 17, 2021, at Mill Creek Assisted Living, under the care of U.P. Home Health and Hospice.
Don was born on June 18, 1928, in Walsh, Michigan to the late Ralford and Genevieve (Kelly) Hansen. He grew up in Trenary, but graduated from Edwin Denby High School in Detroit. On April 14, 1951, he married the former Dorothy M. Estes at St. Michael Catholic Church in Marquette and together they enjoyed 70 years of marriage.
Don proudly served his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, serving in Germany with the 18th Field Artillery Battalion.
He retired from the Marquette Board of Light and Power in 1985 as a lineman after 30 years of service. Don also served as the President of the Marquette City Employees Union for a number of years.
In later years, Don and Dorothy, could be found every morning having breakfast at the Big Boy. Don loved to share a joke and always tipped the waitresses with $2 bills.
An avid walker and runner, Don ran in 94 marathons including Boston, New York, Honolulu and Paavo Nurmi. He also ran ultra-marathons from Marquette to Big Bay and from there to L'Anse via the AAA Road, a total of 72 miles! Every year on his birthday, Don would walk his age in miles to Munising. Each year he added a new mile at the start in Marquette. Don often cajoled friends to walk with him. He even agreed with one friend to a parachute jump in exchange for joining him. In September 1988, as promised, Don and his friend "jumped out of a perfectly good airplane".
Don was a member of American Legion Post #44, Marquette Elks Lodge #405, member and volunteer for the Marquette General Hospital Heart Club, longtime member of the U.P. Road Runners Club, Peninsula Pathfinders Snowmobile Club, and was also a member of St. Michael Catholic Church.
In Don's words: "I've had a hell of a good life."
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; residing at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming; one daughter, Joy (Robert) Niemi of Marquette; two grandchildren: Allison Niemi of New York City and Steven (girlfriend Sabrina Alfonsa) Niemi of Marquette; one sister, Jean Marie Lee of Louden, NH; also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death besides his parents, were brothers: Joseph, Ronald, Richard Dale, and Robert Hansen; also two sisters: Sr. Shirley Orand and Patsy Hansen.
A funeral service will be held at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services on Friday, May 28th at 3 p.m. with Rev. Gregory Heikkala officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to U.P. Honor Flight, 7508 J. Road, Gladstone, MI 49837, in Don's memory.
Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Hansen family where memories of Don may be shared at canalefuneral.com.