1921
Dr.
2008
Dr. Peter Hansen
December 19, 1921 — September 18, 2008
Peter Raymond Hansen was born to Anne Schultenover and Peter Raymond Hansen on December 19, 1921. He was baptized in the Presbyterian Church and attended school in Jackson, Minnesota.
Peter worked at the JC Penny store during high school. After high school, Peter entered the military – choosing the Army Air Force. He received his basic training at Santa Ana, California and his bomber training at Merced, California. Peter flew 58 missions during WWII as the captain of a B-17, stationed in Foggia, Italy. When the war ended, he served for six months at the Air Force Headquarters in Bari, Italy. He often told family that these were the best years of his life.
Peter returned home in October 1945 and married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth Tessien on October 12th. In January of 1946, he entered dental school at the University of Minnesota.
At the University, Peter was a member of Psi Omega Dental Society, president of his senior dental class and a life long member of both the MDA and AMA. He also held offices in the district Dental Society.
Peter was active in the community of Ortonville. He served on the city council for 16 years, was an Eagle Scout leader, head of the March of Dimes, he served on the Mound Cemetery Board, he was a board member at Minnwest Bank, and was the fundraising chairman for the newly formed Big Stone Area Health Care Foundation for the first five years. Peter was a C & C member, he was a Kiwanis member and held offices at Trinity Lutheran Church. After he retired, he enjoyed working on the Habitat for Humanity projects or planting trees at Mound Cemetery.
Peter had an insatiable appetite for knowledge. He had numerous hobbies and interests, too many to mention – but his main love was nature and anything to do with it or in it. He loved gardening, planting trees and cutting wood, he loved down-hill and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. He was an excellent hunter, he liked to camp, fly airplanes, he owned and rode horses for many years, and he enjoyed sailing and windsurfing. More than anything he enjoyed dancing with Ruth or walks in the woods with his dog.
Peter had an incredible mind. He was a voracious reader, had an amazing vocabulary (that makes his family laugh to this day), and he had a wonderful sense of humor. Peter was always a gentleman.
His 50 year dental practice and civic activities afforded him the opportunity to meet and get to know a great many people – Peter was able to find something good, something he liked in every person he met. He was also able to make and sustain life long friendships.
Peter died September 19, 2008, at the Golden Living Center in Milbank, South Dakota, having lived to reach 86 years.
Peter is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughters: Beth, Anne (David) Tonn; son Kurt (Dori); five grandchildren: Christopher, Lindsay, Peter, David, and Katie; nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law: Shirley, Lois, and Kathryn; brother-in-law Dr. Robert (Rita) Tessien.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Harry, Robert and Curtis; one sister Laurine; along with his beloved son Peter.
Peter was committed to the Lord, loved his country, his family, and the community of Ortonville which he served for over fifty years.
Please send a favorite memory of Peter to Ruth and her family at kmaet1920@yahoo.com
Peter worked at the JC Penny store during high school. After high school, Peter entered the military – choosing the Army Air Force. He received his basic training at Santa Ana, California and his bomber training at Merced, California. Peter flew 58 missions during WWII as the captain of a B-17, stationed in Foggia, Italy. When the war ended, he served for six months at the Air Force Headquarters in Bari, Italy. He often told family that these were the best years of his life.
Peter returned home in October 1945 and married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth Tessien on October 12th. In January of 1946, he entered dental school at the University of Minnesota.
At the University, Peter was a member of Psi Omega Dental Society, president of his senior dental class and a life long member of both the MDA and AMA. He also held offices in the district Dental Society.
Peter was active in the community of Ortonville. He served on the city council for 16 years, was an Eagle Scout leader, head of the March of Dimes, he served on the Mound Cemetery Board, he was a board member at Minnwest Bank, and was the fundraising chairman for the newly formed Big Stone Area Health Care Foundation for the first five years. Peter was a C & C member, he was a Kiwanis member and held offices at Trinity Lutheran Church. After he retired, he enjoyed working on the Habitat for Humanity projects or planting trees at Mound Cemetery.
Peter had an insatiable appetite for knowledge. He had numerous hobbies and interests, too many to mention – but his main love was nature and anything to do with it or in it. He loved gardening, planting trees and cutting wood, he loved down-hill and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. He was an excellent hunter, he liked to camp, fly airplanes, he owned and rode horses for many years, and he enjoyed sailing and windsurfing. More than anything he enjoyed dancing with Ruth or walks in the woods with his dog.
Peter had an incredible mind. He was a voracious reader, had an amazing vocabulary (that makes his family laugh to this day), and he had a wonderful sense of humor. Peter was always a gentleman.
His 50 year dental practice and civic activities afforded him the opportunity to meet and get to know a great many people – Peter was able to find something good, something he liked in every person he met. He was also able to make and sustain life long friendships.
Peter died September 19, 2008, at the Golden Living Center in Milbank, South Dakota, having lived to reach 86 years.
Peter is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughters: Beth, Anne (David) Tonn; son Kurt (Dori); five grandchildren: Christopher, Lindsay, Peter, David, and Katie; nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law: Shirley, Lois, and Kathryn; brother-in-law Dr. Robert (Rita) Tessien.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Harry, Robert and Curtis; one sister Laurine; along with his beloved son Peter.
Peter was committed to the Lord, loved his country, his family, and the community of Ortonville which he served for over fifty years.
Please send a favorite memory of Peter to Ruth and her family at kmaet1920@yahoo.com