KENOSHA, Wis. — James Magnus Hansen, Kenosha, Wis., died Nov. 15, 2024. He had a good life for 93 years. He knew it, and was grateful. Until he fell a few days before his death, he lived in the house on his acreage for over 60 years. Jim was born Jan. 21, 1931. He loved growing up on the dairy farm east of Laurel; working in the milk house and delivering milk and cream in glass bottles door-to-door with his siblings before they headed to school. After graduating from Laurel High School, Jim served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. When he was honorably discharged, he attended Wayne State College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. During this time, he met and married Suzanne Miller, who was an elementary teacher in the Laurel Public schools.

Jim taught middle school for 30 years retiring in 1988 from the Kenosha school system. Then he had time for his passion of working in his garden, his orchard and building a greenhouse, and starting Hansen”s Gardens. He raised plants and flowers to sell to his customers at the greenhouse and at the Kenosha Farmers Market where he was a regular for many years.

Those who will miss his love for life and unconditional love are his children, Gregory Hansen, Lorie (Harry) Sneigle, Eric (Kathy) Hansen, Jeffery (Toni) Hansen, Christina (Chad) Dummer, Joseph (Stacie) Hansen and Allysa Hansen; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also his sisters, Betty Niceswanger and Jacqueline Burns.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sue, in 1979; his parents, Magnus and Olivia (Vorum) Hansen; and his siblings, Kaja Gade, Peter Hansen, Ruth Crandall, Ruby Merriam, Anne Kathol, Viola Wilson, William Hansen, Elsie Jacobson and Joyce Galvin Rath.

The family will gather privately in memory of Jim, and spread his ashes on the family farm where he grew up up in Nebraska.