Pete Hansen

A private family service will be held for Pete Hansen, age 89, of Lusk, he died September 2nd, 2024 at the Niobrara Community Hospital. The family requests no flowers, should you wish a memorial may be made to the Lusk Ambulance or the Niobrara County Library.

Masonic graveside rights will be conducted by Lusk Lodge #24, with Master Jesse Hart conducting.

Pete was born December 1st, 1934 in North Platte, Nebraska to Carl and Opal (Johnson) Hansen. Pete’s father was a railroader working for Union Pacific, and Pete’s family moved several times while growing up. He lived in North Platte, Sinclair, Huntly, Rawlins, and Torrington. He graduated from Torrington, Wyoming high school in 1952.

On September 19, 1952, Pete joined the United States Navy and proudly served 3 years, receiving his radarman training at Treasure Island, California. Upon completion of training, he reported to the escort vessel, USS Whitehunt. During his service, he proudly assisted in the rescue of survivors of a typhoon off Agrihan Island near Sipan. After an honorable discharge from the United States Navy, Pete enrolled at the University of Wyoming. He majored in mechanical engineering and was a member of Sigma NU fraternity.

While attending the university Pete met Wanda Ellen Mill of Lusk, Wyoming. Wanda was a junior at Laramie, majoring in education. They were married on September 1st, 1957, and moved to Lusk in 1958. Pete was welcomed into the Mill family and quickly became a part of the family ranch which was started in 1890 by Wanda's grandfather, Jake Mill. The ranch meant everything to Pete and Wanda and they both devoted their lives to nurturing and caring for the land they loved. Today the ranch is still in good hands being operated by Cheryl. Pete and Wanda were blessed with three beautiful girls, Cheryl, Susan, and Christine, sadly Christine passed away on May 20th, 1968. During those years growing up both Cheryl and Susan pitched in side by side helping their parents on the ranch.

Pete was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge #24, of Lusk Wyoming, serving three times as master of the Lodge. He served on the Wyoming State Soil Conservation Commission and also Wyoming State Board of Agriculture.

He is survived by his wife Wanda of Lusk, and daughters Cheryl (Ron) Lund of Lusk, and Susie (Kelly) Clay of Jackson. Four grandchildren, Caleb (Diedre), Kyle (Allison), Chrisanna Lund, and Katie (Joe) Kruse, Four great-grandsons Will, Jackson, Thomas, and Henry, and two great-granddaughters Emily and Solomon. He is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Opal, daughter Christine Marie, son-in-law Ron Lund, and sisters Polly Johnson and Esther Courtney.

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Lusk Ambulance or Niobrara County Library.

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