John E. Hansen

Dr. John E. Hansen, Jr. was born June 4, 1928 in Blair, NE to John E. and Mildred M. (Hart) Hansen. He grew up in Blair and graduated from Blair High School in 1945. In 1951, John graduated from Dana College in Blair where he played football and was a track standout. Dana College is where he met his future bride, Helen Williams, when he enrolled in the chemistry course she was teaching. They were married June 22, 1953 at Little Prairie Methodist Church in Dundas, Minnesota. Dr. John Hansen graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1955 and completed his internship at Methodist Hospital and Immanuel Hospital in Omaha. On November 1, 1956 John was inducted into the United States Air Force, completed basic training at Selma, Alabama and served as a Captain in the Medic Division at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. On December 1, 1958, Dr. Hansen joined Drs. Stephen Wallace and Ivan French in practice at the Wahoo Clinic. During his tenure as a Family Physician, which culminated in his retirement on December 31, 1999, Doctor Hansen served the Wahoo community with great passion and dedication. Twice a month, for many years, he spent his afternoon off caring for underprivileged patients at the W Street Clinic in South Omaha. Dr. Hansen was the longtime Team Physician for the Wahoo Public High School Football Team as well as assisting to provide that service at Neumann. He also was a preceptor for scores of medical students during their clinical rotations. John was honored for his commitment to the health of his friends and neighbors in Wahoo with the naming of the Dr. John E. Hansen, Jr. Conference Center at Saunders Medical Center. John dedicated much of his time to the Wahoo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, both as a fireman and Medical Director, after having joined the Blair Fire Department at the age of 18. Dr. Hansen was recognized for his service from both the Wahoo fire department and the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association. He also served on the Saunders County Health Services Board of Directors and was instrumental in making the new medical center a reality. Dr. Hansen had the heart of a true servant in everything he did. Dr. Hansen was very well read, and his love for books led him into service on the Wahoo Library Board. He had a near encyclopedic understanding of World War II history and, perhaps because of his quiet wish to be a pilot, John enjoyed attending as many air shows as he could. One of his favorite pasttimes was crossword puzzles which he always completed in pen. John was a faithful member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he had served on the Church Council. His personal time was always spent with his family. He is survived by his wife Helen Hansen of Wahoo; children Karn Violett of Omaha; Dr. Susan Hansen (Dr. Alan Berg) of Lincoln, Mary Hansen of Lincoln, Dr. Solveig Hansen (Dr. John Kvasnicka) of Mahtomedi, MN, Dr. John W. (Janet) Hansen of Lincoln; sister Carolyn Zacharisen of Arvada, CO; grandchildren Nicole Violett (Steve) Smith, Marc (Heather) Violett, Christopher Violett, Brittney Violett, Dr. Christian (Jenna) Berg, Kiley (John) Ohly, Katie Herring, Emily Kvasnicka (Paul) Friedrichsen, Laura Kvasnicka, Eric Kvasnicka, Rachel (Zach) Jensen, Sarah Hansen, Abby Hansen, John Peter Hansen; great-grandchildren Alexis, Blaire, Henley, and Zoey Smith, Luke and Madison Violett; Jack and Charlotte Ohly; and foreign exchange student Peter Klerstad of Stockholm, Sweden. Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Wahoo Fire and Rescue, or Saunders Medical Center Foundation.