Leonard David Hansen

October 30, 1922 – July 29, 2009

A great man of honor, loyalty and integrity, Leonard David Hansen passed peacefully into the arms of his Hero, Jesus Christ July 29, 2009. He was born to Danish immigrants in a typical Depression Era farmhouse (no electricity, running water or bathrooms) in Creighton, Nebraska October 30, 1922.

After eight years of grammar school in a one-room school house, graduating high school and one year of college, he realized there wasn't enough money to go back so, he left the farm and got a ride to California where he got a job with Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica. He joined into the Army Air Corps in February 1943 and became the co-pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress. He was shot down on his fourth mission and received the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross for crash landing the plane and saving all the lives of his crew members three of whom were critically wounded. He and his crew became German POWs for the remainder of the war.

After liberation, he returned to the great love of his life, Elizabeth Vanderhoof and married her July 14, 1945. Because of the G.I. Bill, he was able to realize his dream of graduating from college with a General Business major from the University of Southern California. They moved to Woodlake to begin cattle ranching with Fred and Bob Vanderhoof, his father-in-law and brother-in-law. They had four children who all graduated from Woodlake Union High School.

Leonard and Elizabeth became active in Woodlake Presbyterian Church teaching Sunday School and serving many terms as Deacon and Elder. In 1952, they began their first Young Life Club delivering the gospel of Christ to high school kids in homes with Elizabeth playing the piano and Leonard delivering the "message." This volunteer ministry lasted for 25 years. He combined his love of football and teenagers to become the "Voice of the Woodlake Tigers" for 25 years. We all remember ..." and that will be another first down for the Woodlake Tigers."

Leonard was active in Rotary Club for nearly 50 years, and also served as a school board member for Elderwood, Woodlake Union and Tulare County for over 50 years. He later sold off the cattle business and became busy in life insurance sales and real estate, both selling and investing. He was honored when the town of Woodlake bestowed Man of the Year and Man of the Decade upon him.

He and Elizabeth became avid travelers in the '80s often visiting missionaries they supported. Their most exatrordinary trip was smuggling Bibles into Czechoslovakia behind the "Iron Curtain" in 1987. This was a top secret mission with middle-of-the-night deliveries to happy tear-stained people who names and addresses they had memorized but could not pronounce.

He is survived by his brothers Raymond and Arnold Hansen and their wives. His wife Elizabeth died in 2002 and he married another woman of God, Margaret Mills Vanderhoof. When Margaret died last year we all knew he was tired and ready to go Home. He had "fought the good fight...run the race" and had truly been "a good and faithful servant " to his Lord and Savior.

He is survived by four children and their spouses, Suzanne Bidwell in Woodlake, Cynthia and Russ Brickey in Clovis, Betsi and Eric Helgesen, David and Janice Hansen in Reedley. He was also blessed with 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to one of Dad's ("Papa's") favorites ministries: Students International, P.O. Box 2733, Visalia, CA 93279; Young Life or Young Lives, 2134 E. Mineral King, Visalia, CA 93292.. Arrangements by Smith Family Chapel, Exeter. Online condolences: www.smithfamilychapel.com

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Published on August 05, 2009.