Donald "Don" C. Hansen

Donald “Don” Carl Hansen, age 75, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at home in the loving arms of his wife Amy following a lengthy battle with multiple illnesses. He was born February 8, 1938 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. His mother and father moved their family to Denison, Texas in 1941 where his father established a family grocery business. Don and Amy met in the fall of 1970 at Lake Texoma, Pottsboro, Texas. They were married in the United Methodist Church of Wamego, Kansas on March 20, 1971. A dedicated family man, Don took special joy in smiles, laughter and togetherness with his loved ones. His professional pursuits were always reflective of his care for family and close friends. Don was a successful entrepreneur and investor. Through his various endeavors, Don touched many lives with his creativity, ingenuity, insight and generosity. Don was always searching for God’s mission for him. Don’s faith, evangelism and missionary work grew exponentially following a near fatal surgery in 2005. Following surgery, a special bond developed with HeartGift, an organization that provides lifesaving heart surgery to disadvantaged children. Don and Amy founded a special partnership effort between HeartGift and Iglesia de Cristo to further the care for these special children in need. They were instrumental in the development of ChristLife Fellowship, a bilingual congregation in Austin. They were presented the Golden Hands Award by the Iglesia de Cristo of Austin, Texas in 2012. Don was a deep thinking talented artist who poured his feelings and emotions into a multitude of meaningful sketches, sculptures and paintings. He also enjoyed sailing, tennis, health/fitness and a fine cigar. Don is survived by wife Amy, son Don Ellis “De” Hansen, wife Karen and grandson Hunter Hansen; son Ricky Don Hansen and grandchildren Ryan, Dustin and Alecia Hansen, 11 nieces, 7 nephews as well as many beloved extended family members. He was preceded in death by son Russell, parents Carl and Evelyn Hansen, sister Beverly Katzmark and husband Ray, sister Joan Smart and husband Jack, and brother Paul Hansen. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 26, at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, Kansas. Interment will follow in the Wamego City Cemetery. The family will greet friends during a visitation from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 25 at Stewart Funeral Home, where he will lie in-state beginning at 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will also be held at the Church of Christ in Hyde Park, Austin, Texas on November 2, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Iglesia de Cristo or Hospice of Austin and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.