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Leo Edward Hansen
05/28/1941 — 04/27/2006
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Humboldt, Kansas
Leo Edward Hansen
Leo Edward Hansen, age 64, was called to be with his creator on Thursday, April 27, 2006, at his home in Richland, WA. Leo was born on May 28, 1941 in Humboldt, Kansas. He was raised in Humboldt and graduated from high school there in 1959. He then attended Junior College in Chanute, Kansas. During this time Leo met Shelia Marlene Rains and they were married on May 6, 1961 in Humboldt.
After spending one year working as an Engineering Aide with the Kansas Highway Commission, Leo attended Kansas State University for three years, receiving his degree in Nuclear Engineering in June 1965. Leo then moved along with Shelia and their three young children to Richland, Washington where Leo was employed in the Plutonium Critical Mass Laboratory operated by the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories.
Leo was employed as a Research Engineer at Battelle until January, 1973 when he joined the staff of the Exxon Nuclear Company. Leo spent the next 27 years working in a variety of Engineering and Management positions for Exxon Nuclear and its predecessor the Siemens Power Corporation. Leo worked in the QA & Licensing, Reactor Physics, Sales & Marketing, and Fuel Manufacturing organizations. At the time of his retirement at the end of 1999 he held the position of Manager, Manufacturing Engineering.
While raising his family in Richland, Leo was active in the Christ The King Home and School Association, the Richland American Little League, the Richland Girls Fastpitch Softball Association, the Richland Pony League, and the Richland Colt League. Leo coached in the girls softball league for seven years and his teams finished first or second in the league and district tournaments all three years that he coached a junior division team.
The Pony and Colt league teams that Leo coached in 1988 and 1989 both shared their league championship and Leo coached all star teams from each league in their respective district tournaments.
Leo greatly enjoyed working with kids in an effort to instill a love of sports and competition in the concept that if you do your best at all, times you can hold your head high regardless of whether you win or lose the game. Leo returned to coaching to help coach his grandson's baseball team in the Kennewick American Youth Baseball league in the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
Leo and Shelia spent five years in Bellevue, WA and returned to the Tri-Cities in 1995 and joined the St. Joseph's Catholic Church parish in Kennewick while living in an apartment upon their return. They stayed as members of St. Joseph's parish even after moving to their home in Richland.
Leo loved life; he enjoyed his family and friends and he enjoyed hosting family or friends on the family boat on Puget Sound. He was a loving and generous Son, Husband, Father, and family member and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Leo is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Agnes Hansen of Humboldt, KS and his oldest son Gregory Edward Hansen. He is survived by his wife Shelia, daughters Sally Lehmann husband John of Bellingham, WA., Janet McAdie husband David of Kennewick, WA., Mary Jo Koch husband Mark of Puyallup, WA., and son Michael Hansen wife Lara of Ravensdale, WA. He is also survived by his eleven grand children: Derek, Scotty, Travis, Samantha, Andie, Michael, Heidi, Shelia, Alex, Jordan, and Taylor.
A Rosary service is scheduled at 7:00 PM on Monday, May 1, 2006 at the Einans Funeral Home in Richland, WA, with viewing from 5:00 PM until the Rosary. His funeral will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kennewick, Washington. A reception will be held at St. Joseph's Church following interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 805 S. Auburn, Kennewick, WA 99336.
I was so sorry to see the unexpected death of Leo. Our heart felt condolences go out to all of your family. I worked at Exxon Nuclear until I took an early SPOSA program in 1985. One of my clearest memories of Leo was one time when he had returned from Germany, I was at Sea-Tac waiting to fly home and there was a problem with the plane. I noticed Leo walking around pondering how he could get home sooner than later cause he had been in the air flying from Germany many hours. Leo decided he could get home before that plane left Seattle if it did cause he had been driving on the Autobahn over in Germany and could fly low over to Richland. He suggested that if I would ride with him and watch for any State Patrol coming and he would check the rear mirror for the same, he would get us home in about three hours or so. We did meet at least one, and we did make it home before that next plane left Seattle–his Autobahn experience worked well.
Our sincerest sympathy to you, Shiela, and all your lovely family. God bless you and give you His wonderful grace now and years to come.
Ivamarie Douglas
Sheila,
I opened the paper today and saw that Leo had passed on. I was just heart broken for you and wanted to express my deepest sympathies to you and your family. If you’re wondering how you know me, you and Leo often tanned at Golden Palm on Monday and Tuesday and I’m the Tammy who’d check you both in. I loved seeing your bright smiling faces and chatting with you and I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m sending a big hug your way and hoping to see you sometime soon at Golden Palm.
Take care.
Tammy
Shelia, Yancy and I were so sad to hear of your husband’s death. We understand this is a very difficult time in the lives of you and your family. Please accept our most sincere sympathy.
Dear Sheila and family
We were heart broken for your loss;Remembering the good times we all had when you came to visit will never be forgotten by all of us.Every one would hurry to tell all the others ‘Leo and Sheila are coming soon
Hearing you tell about all your travels and the children what all they were doing and most of all the great family pictures that hung on your parents wall of you all and Leo and your last visit here ; We had a most enjoyable time together ;
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL AND THE MEMORIES WILL BE WITH US FOR EVER
LOVE
Aunt Iva and cousin EDDIE
HARNER
Leo was Alfred’s boss twice during their career. Leo was always fair, square, and issue oriented. Among his many notable achievements, Leo also single handed created the project management group at Richland. Alfred really enjoyed working with him and missed Leo very much.
Please accept our sympathy.
Alfred & Yuwen Ho
Dear Hansen Family,
I worked with Leo for many years prior to his retirement. His dedication, professionalism, and personality leave a positive and lasting impact upon his coworkers.
Tom Patten
Dear Shelia & family,
We are so sorry to learn of Leo’s death. Gerry worked with Leo at Exxon Nuclear for many years, beginning in the 70’s. He truly was a very honest and good person to work with. We will miss him at the Golden Times retirement luncheons where we could catch up on his and your recent activities.
God bless you and give you all comfort at this time.
Gerry and Maureen Ritter
Our heart-felt condolences to the Hansen family. Leo was a generous man who dedicated his time to help raise respectful, hard-working young men through coaching baseball and other honorable endeavors.
Leo will always be remembered with great respect and appreciation by the Goles Family.
Sheila and Family,
Fondest memories of a great colleague and friend. Needless to say, all who worked with Leo know he was always “on mission” and backed it up with a no nonsense attitude and remarkable work ethic. But what I’ll remember most is his quick wit and sense of humor humor, which kept work, and life, in perspective. Thanks for sharing him with us.
Shelia and family, I am so sorry for your loss. It appears that Leo was loved by many, accomplished much, and was a wonderful husband and father. I am sorry I did not get to meet Leo. Know that all your old Chanute friends are thinking of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this most difficult time. SueBarnumKrokstrom
sheila and family, the family in southeast kansas share in your grief. the family reunions will always be fond memories, and we hope you will still consider yourselves as part of our family.
I was so sorry to see the unexpected death of Leo. Our heart felt condolences go out to all of your family. I worked at Exxon Nuclear until I took an early SPOSA program in 1985. One of my clearest memories of Leo was one time when he had returned from Germany, I was at Sea-Tac waiting to fly home and there was a problem with the plane. I noticed Leo walking around pondering how he could get home sooner than later cause he had been in the air flying from Germany many hours. Leo decided he could get home before that plane left Seattle if it did cause he had been driving on the Autobahn over in Germany and could fly low over to Richland. He suggested that if I would ride with him and watch for any State Patrol coming and he would check the rear mirror for the same, he would get us home in about three hours or so. We did meet at least one, and we did make it home before that next plane left Seattle–his Autobahn experience worked well.
Our sincerest sympathy to you, Shiela, and all your lovely family. God bless you and give you His wonderful grace now and years to come.
Ivamarie Douglas
Sheila,
I opened the paper today and saw that Leo had passed on. I was just heart broken for you and wanted to express my deepest sympathies to you and your family. If you’re wondering how you know me, you and Leo often tanned at Golden Palm on Monday and Tuesday and I’m the Tammy who’d check you both in. I loved seeing your bright smiling faces and chatting with you and I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m sending a big hug your way and hoping to see you sometime soon at Golden Palm.
Take care.
Tammy
Shelia, Yancy and I were so sad to hear of your husband’s death. We understand this is a very difficult time in the lives of you and your family. Please accept our most sincere sympathy.
Dear Sheila and family
We were heart broken for your loss;Remembering the good times we all had when you came to visit will never be forgotten by all of us.Every one would hurry to tell all the others ‘Leo and Sheila are coming soon
Hearing you tell about all your travels and the children what all they were doing and most of all the great family pictures that hung on your parents wall of you all and Leo and your last visit here ; We had a most enjoyable time together ;
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL AND THE MEMORIES WILL BE WITH US FOR EVER
LOVE
Aunt Iva and cousin EDDIE
HARNER
Leo was Alfred’s boss twice during their career. Leo was always fair, square, and issue oriented. Among his many notable achievements, Leo also single handed created the project management group at Richland. Alfred really enjoyed working with him and missed Leo very much.
Please accept our sympathy.
Alfred & Yuwen Ho
Dear Hansen Family,
I worked with Leo for many years prior to his retirement. His dedication, professionalism, and personality leave a positive and lasting impact upon his coworkers.
Tom Patten
Dear Shelia & family,
We are so sorry to learn of Leo’s death. Gerry worked with Leo at Exxon Nuclear for many years, beginning in the 70’s. He truly was a very honest and good person to work with. We will miss him at the Golden Times retirement luncheons where we could catch up on his and your recent activities.
God bless you and give you all comfort at this time.
Gerry and Maureen Ritter
Our heart-felt condolences to the Hansen family. Leo was a generous man who dedicated his time to help raise respectful, hard-working young men through coaching baseball and other honorable endeavors.
Leo will always be remembered with great respect and appreciation by the Goles Family.
Sheila and Family,
Fondest memories of a great colleague and friend. Needless to say, all who worked with Leo know he was always “on mission” and backed it up with a no nonsense attitude and remarkable work ethic. But what I’ll remember most is his quick wit and sense of humor humor, which kept work, and life, in perspective. Thanks for sharing him with us.
Shelia and family, I am so sorry for your loss. It appears that Leo was loved by many, accomplished much, and was a wonderful husband and father. I am sorry I did not get to meet Leo. Know that all your old Chanute friends are thinking of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this most difficult time. SueBarnumKrokstrom
sheila and family, the family in southeast kansas share in your grief. the family reunions will always be fond memories, and we hope you will still consider yourselves as part of our family.
The Koeller family wish you all our deepest sympathy. We will remember Leo always.
To Sheila and family
I was very sorry to hear about the loss of your husband/father. I know all your 1956 classmates are thinking of you and your family and I will remember you all in my prayers.
Carol Tomlinson Swenson
Sheila: Although I did not know Leo, it appears that he lived life to the fullest and has left quite a legacy of friends and family. I am very sorry for your sudden loss. I know how you must feel. JaniceMuffet TruittYoung-Miller
Guestbook for
Leo Edward Hansen