Donald Leslie Hansen

Donald Leslie Hansen passed away in Napa, CA on October 1st, 2025 at age 90.

Don was born September 26, 1935 to Lucille and Leslie Hansen in Santa Rosa, CA. The family moved shortly thereafter to Blucher Valley about 5 miles outside of Sebastopol. There they bought a ten acre apple orchard and also raised chickens. Don was a proud Analy High School Tiger, class of 1953. The family did eventually move back to Santa Rosa.

Don joined the USAF on January 4, 1954 and was stationed at Truax Field in Madison, WI. He was in the 456 Fighter Interceptor Squadron. In 1954 he met Caroline Matilda Thomsen at the Truax roller skating rink. They dated for 2 years before getting engaged and finally married on June 22, 1957 in Madison. They went on to have three wonderful children, Connie Rochelle, Scott Andrew and Wendy Marie.

Don left the Air Force in July of 1957 and he and Carol moved to California where he trained as an engineer for Pacific Bell in Santa Rosa and then began working in Ukiah. Eventually they moved to Napa and Don commuted to Fairfield for work. He retired from Pacific Bell on October 31, 1987, exactly 30 years from when he started! He was 52 years old. Don always liked getting cards and acknowledgement of that day. He worked hard to support a family of five so Carol could be a stay at home mom. 

Don had an amazing sense of humor. His daily goal was to make his family smile. He supported his kids in everything from Connie's Rainbow Girl activities to Scott and Wendy's baseball and softball. He was a proud Past Master Counselor of Sebastopol DeMolay with his best friend of over 80 years, Roger Stange. In his younger days Don enjoyed woodworking, making latch hook rugs, gardening with Scott and researching genealogy. He was known for his Werther's Candy, he handed them out wherever he went, including doctor and hospital visits! Don had an incredible sweet tooth. It was not uncommon for him to get up in the middle of the night to eat cookies and ice cream!

Don is predeceased by Carol, his bride of 58 years, his son Scott, his parents Les and Lou Hansen and his dog Smooch. He is survived by his daughters Connie (Steve) Muth, Wendy Hansen, son-in-law Michael Scott and grandkids Andrew Muth (Brittany), Jeffery Muth, Adam Muth (Gillian), Gabriel Pallan, Larissa Tice, Jakob Scott and great-grandkids, Luke Muth, Roxas Tice and Frankie Mae Muth. He is also survived by his sister Sherry Adam and sister-in-law Dolly Thomsen, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Dad was a simple man and in honoring his request, we will have a private internment with family in attendance. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Wounded Warriors, St. Jude Children's Hospital and Shriner's Hospital. 

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