Ernest 'Paul' Hansen (1929-2016)

HANSEN, CHRISTIANSEN, RUNION, SWIDEN OOLMAN, OCONNELL

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 11/29/2016 at 10:50:38

Rev. Ernest Paul Hansen was born on March 10, 1929, in Pipestone, MN to Ernest Fred and Catherine (Christiansen) Hansen. He grew up on a farm near Jasper, MN and was the oldest of six children. He attended a one room school house until 8th grade in Rural Rock County. Paul graduated in 1947 from Jasper Consolidated High School in Jasper, MN. Paul attended Morningside College in Sioux City, IA. It was here where he met his wife, Lucille May Runion. They were married in Dike, IA, on December 27, 1950. Lucille's father, Rev. Louis Runion performed the ceremony. Paul graduated from Morningside College in 1951. Paul then attended Duke University Divinity School in Durham, NC and graduated in 1954. He was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church in June of 1955. Paul served the following United Methodist Churches in Iowa: Good Hope near Algona 1954-57; Thornton and Swaledale 1957-61; Rudd 1961-65; Titonka and Doan 1965-74; Sanborn and Melvin 1974-84; Hawarden and Ireton 1984-94; Paul retired in 1994 in Spencer. He served as interim pastor of Marathon and Rembrandt in 1994-95 and filled many pulpits in the area on Sundays. He became visitation pastor for Grace United Methodist Church of Spencer in October 1997 and interim pastor for Grace in October of 1999.

Paul enjoyed gardening, reading, camping with his family, traveling, fishing, going for walks and family vacations. He enjoyed trying new things like bungee jumping. Paul had a very calm disposition. The soothing tone of his voice, combined with his open personality, made everyone he met comfortable. Paul's voice was perfect for his gift storytelling. He could paint a picture with his words and make you feel a part of it. Paul loved life and the people in it. Paul and Lucille, for 12 years, along with other chaperones would take two busloads of high schoolers out to New York City and Washington D.C. to Christian Study Seminars. They would go site-seeing and even meet some of the leaders of the United Nations.

Paul was very active in all the communities that he lived in. His focus was on volunteer work. Some of the many groups he participated in were: Kiwanis, AARP, Hospice, Meals on Wheels, Boy Scout Leader, ambulance driver and Okoboji United Methodist Church Camp. Paul served on many conference, district and state committees and boards throughout his years. He received citizen of the year award from a couple of towns.

Paul passed away on November 19, 2016 at the St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer, at the age of 87. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lucille; his daughter, Judy Swiden; his sister, Ruth and his brother, Dean.

Left to cherish his memory are his two children: Carol Hansen of Spencer and James Hansen of Texas; three grandchildren: Caitlyn, Adam and Jennifer; his son-in-law, Dan Swiden of Sioux Falls, SD; two sisters: Marjorie Oolman of Sioux Falls, SD and Gloria O'Connell of Phoenix, AZ; one brother, Ray Hansen of Michigan; other relatives and many friends.

From Warner Funeral Home