Oliver Hansen
July 17, 1934 — January 8, 2018
Oliver Alexander Hansen, 83, of Elbow Lake, passed away Monday, January 08, 2018 at Prairie Ridge Hospital in Elbow Lake, MN.
Oliver A. Hansen was born on July 17, 1934 to Ole Alexander and Ella Ruth (Uphoff-Hafsal) Hansen in Donnelly, MN. He and his family then moved to Barrett, MN where he attended District 52 Country School through the 8th grade. He attended the 9th grade at Barrett High School.
On December 2, 1952, at the age of 17, Oliver enlisted in the United States Navy and attended basic training at RTC, San Diego, CA. He served on the USS William R Rush DD- 714, Hyades AF 28, and the CHB1. From 1955 to 1959, he was stationed in Naples, Italy at the Naval Airbase. He then was assigned to four years on the USS Boxer LHD-4, was then stationed in Little Creek, VA to attend Diving School, then was stationed on the USS Seneca AT-91 for two years, the USS Tanner AGS-15, and in 1966 he was stationed in An Thi, Vietnam on the USS Tutuila ARG-4. During his time in service he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (2 awards), the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Navy Occupational Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1972 at 32nd Street Naval Station, San Diego, CA. as a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy.
Oliver remained stationed in Vietnam from 1966 to 1972 where he met Det Tran Thi. He and Det Tran Thi were united in marriage on July 2, 1968. The couple made their home in Elbow Lake where they raised their four children. Oliver loved his grandchildren, fishing, and watching the MN Vikings.
Oliver is survived by his wife of 49 years, Det and their four children, Jodi (Steve) Wentland of Plymouth, Ellen (Ty) DeVine of Fargo, Larry Hansen of Elbow Lake and David (Laura) Hansen of Port Orange, FL; 14 grandchildren Cory & Nick Wentland, Taylor, Aidan and Ian DeVine, Brady Sumstad, Joey, Justin, Kaitlyn and Jason Hansen, Hailey, Madison, Sophia and Peyton Hansen.
Oliver is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Harold Hafsal, Henry Hansen, and Richard Hansen; and sister, Beatrice Hansen.
Funeral Service: 1:00PM Thursday, January 11th at Bethlehem -West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake, MN.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Reverend Wes Moir
Military Honors: American Legion Post 351, Barrett, Minnesota
Arrangements by: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake