Wayne L. Hansen

Wayne Leroy Hansen passed away at home in Bozeman, Montana, on February 10, 2024, at the age of 86 from health-related issues. He was lovingly being cared for by his family and Stillwater Hospice.

Wayne was born on January 10, 1938, in Cresco, Iowa. He was the only child born to Iola and Clarence Hansen. His formative years were spent on the family dairy farm in Leroy, Minnesota where his innate talent for working with numbers blossomed. He went on to receive his education in Accounting at Minnesota School of Business. It was in Minneapolis, Minnesota that he met his first wife, Joanne Moreland, and together they settled on Joanne's family ranch near Birney, Montana. 

After several years of ranching they moved to Sheridan, Wyoming, where they raised their two daughters, Deb and Jacque, on a picturesque horse property in the countryside. Wayne served as a Credit Manager for Woolworth Co., indulging his interest in the stock market by visiting the Piper Jaffray Investment office during lunchtime. This interest remained a lifelong pursuit. Wayne's commitment to family extended beyond the workplace. He shared his love for the outdoors with his daughters, organizing camping trips and horse packing adventures into the Bighorn National Forest. His passion for horses and animals found expression in supporting his daughter's 4H activities and their participation in rodeos and gymkhanas.

Wayne and Joanne eventually relocated to the Moreland Sheep Mountain Ranch at the base of the Crazy Mountains near Springdale, Montana. Wayne took on a broad range of ranching responsibilities such as calving, haying, repairing, and improving all things broken, and tending to business affairs. He was ahead of his time in embracing cell phone and computer technologies/applications, enabling him to make improvements that resulted in a successful ranching business.

Wayne was always surrounded by his loyal cattle dogs and trusty barn cats and had a whistle that could draw in the horses and cattle from a distance!

After over 30 years dedicated to cattle ranching Wayne retired to Bozeman, Montana with his wife Darlene Hansen. They enjoyed a beautiful home near Hyalite Canyon where Wayne pursued his passion for horses and love of working in his shop. Active in the local woodturning community, Wayne delighted in the crafting of beautiful bowls, lidded containers, and other wooden vessels.

Wayne and Darlene loved to travel and adventure around the US and abroad. Wayne's love of food combined with Darlene's gourmet cooking provided many opportunities for entertaining and enjoying the company of many special friends. They split time between Lake Havasu City, AZ, Swan Lake, MT, and their home in Bozeman.

Wayne enjoyed spending time with his daughters, Deb and Jacque, and their families, as well as with Darlene's two children, Herb and Deb, and their families. He cherished spending time at the ranch and after retirement with his granddaughters, Jess and Marca, and found great joy in seeing his great granddaughter, Royce Parker Robinson.

Wayne is survived by his wife Darlene Hansen, daughters Debra Hansen Taverniti (Tim) and Jacque Hansen (Hector), granddaughters Jessica Taverniti and Marca Taverniti-Robinson (Augie), great granddaughter Royce Parker Robinson, stepdaughter Deb Matus (Dudley), step granddaughters Sarah VanLuchene (Kris), Emily, Madison and Monica Warp, and step-great-granddaughter Hadley VanLuchene, and more relatives and long-term friends.

In accordance with Wayne's wishes, his ashes will be spread in the Crazy Mountains. Those wishing to honor his memory may contribute to the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter in Bozeman, Montana. Wayne Leroy Hansen's legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.