Rev. James R. Hansen

Reverend James R. Hansen of Hanover, NH died August 22, 2021 after a brief period of declining health. Jim and wife Louise moved to Hanover in 2008 after 18 years in Windsor, VT. Born on April 21, 1924 to Otto and Amelia Hansen, Jim grew up in Chicago, IL. After one year of college, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a gunnery instructor for four years. On his return from the service, Jim enrolled at DePauw University, where he met his future wife, Louise Flanders. Jim and Louise were married on August 27, 1949 in Anderson, IN. They honeymooned at Banff National Park and Lake Louise, but their most exciting early trip was a bicycle trip through Europe in 1951 – on 3 speed Schwinns! Years later, they continued to bike with friends on trips to Vermont, England, and Denmark.
After three years at Garrett Seminary in Evanston, IL and a master’s degree from Hartford Seminary in CT, Jim was ordained in the Congregational Church (later the United Church of Christ). He spent 37 years as a Minister of Christian Education at churches in Lakewood, Ohio, Wilbraham, MA, East Longmeadow, MA, and South Windsor, CT. Jim’s commitment to children and youth is the hallmark of his career. He built strong church school programs and youth fellowships in all his churches. During the 1960’s and 1970’s in East Longmeadow, youth fellowship and the Friday night “Congo” dances were the places to be. Jim also led numerous youth bicycle trips for 30 years to Vermont, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard from both the East Longmeadow and South Windsor churches. Several generations of church school and youth fellowship members share memories of Jim performing their wedding ceremonies.
Jim and Louise raised their two children in Wilbraham and East Longmeadow and spent 41 summers at their beloved Martha’s Vineyard cottage. After Jim retired in 1990, he and Louise moved to Windsor, VT to continue their love affair with that state. They embarked on travels to Asia, Africa, Scandinavia, Alaska, and river cruises in Europe. Jim’s life of service continued in retirement through his 15 years of volunteering at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Jim was predeceased by his wife Louise, after 62 years of marriage, and his daughter-in-law Diane Hansen. He leaves his son, David Hansen of Montague, MA, his daughter, Ellen Hansen (and husband Steve Dohrmann) of Hillsboro, OR, granddaughter Hope Forgey (and husband Kyle) of Aurora, CO, grandsons Bruce Young (and wife Tessa) of Montague, MA and Jeremy Young (and partner Allison Green) of Ashfield, MA, and six great grandchildren: Cameron, Archer, Arielle, Eden, Jackson, and Callum.
Private services will be held at a later date. A donation to the helping organization of your choice would be a wonderful memorial to a long life, well lived.
Cremation Society of NH is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to www.csnh.com