Michael Hansen

Michael Hansen
Des Moines

Michael Joseph Hansen was born December 5, 1960, to Joe and Rose Jean Hansen. He passed away on May 2, 2023, and is survived by his parents, sister Christy Hansen and brother-in-law Andre Guay, brother Hugh Hansen and sister-in-law Ellen Franklin, niece Eleanore Hansen, and nephew Isaak Hansen. Other than attending Brown School in San Marcos, Texas during his teen years, Michael was a life-long resident of Des Moines. During much of his adult life Michael lived in a residential group home managed by the Christian Opportunity Center; his housemates and the COC staff have been a second family to him.

As a member of Link Associates, Michael had opportunities for employment, social activities with friends, and the Iowa Special Olympics which he looked forward to every year; Michael was as good or better a swimmer and weightlifter than his brother and sister and he has the medals to prove it. He also enjoyed participating in day programs at Easter Seals of Iowa Life Club for several years, of which his favorite activities were swimming, horseback riding, dances, weekly talent shows and Friday coffee hour. Mike was an excellent bowler and his last score in April was 153!

Michael dearly loved his family. He always looked forward to extended family gatherings with the Hansen’s (Elk Horn happy Danes) and the Audubon Petersens and Grabills (America Needs Farmers and they are some of the best). Nearly every Sunday Michael attended church at Christ Lutheran with his father and mother; he diligently cited the Apostles Creed and Lord’s Prayer, celebrated communion and sang those hymns familiar to him. After church, weather permitting, was a walk around Gray’s Lake and a delicious lunch served by Rose Jean.

Christy and Andre moved from Seattle to Des Moines in 2017 and purchased 1316 Hackley, the house where the Hansen kids “grew up” and it became the location of family gatherings and, because of his battle with cancer, Mike’s home once again. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Mother’s and Father’s and birthdays were occasions Mike loved to celebrate with his family and he especially enjoyed having his niece and nephew there. For many years Mike’s housemates and COC staff joined the Hansen family for his birthday; the event included Bingo with everyone winning prizes, singing carols in anticipation of Christmas, and as always, a nice dinner.

Michael loved music; his recollection of songs and the artists’ lives was incredible. The same is true for great movies and actors. No one knows movie stars and superheroes (Batman his favorite) better than Mike Hansen except for, possibly, Phil Lord from COC who has known and cared for Mike longer than any staff member. He and Mike have a mutual love of music and superheroes, and Phil has a special place in Mike’s heart. Michael also enjoyed playing tunes on his acoustic guitar and John Denver’s Country Roads was a favorite.

Michael exercised nearly every day, whether it was aerobics at home, working out with Gym Heroes at Link Associates, walking around Gray’s Lake, preparing for the Special Olympics, and golf outings with his dad, Joe. Because he was so active and healthy, his physicians told Mike’s family when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2022 that medical treatment might extend his life for more years. But treatments did not stop the spread of the cancer, so Mike spent his last months at first returning to his home with COC and rejoining activities at Easter Seals, and then living with Christy and Andre who were honored (in their words) to care for Mike during his final weeks.

Michael was especially blessed with the love and care he received throughout his life from his parents, brother Hugh, and in more recent years his sister Christy and brother-in-law Andre. Michael, although his siblings thought of him as a kid brother, was a good man. He was polite and respectful, spoke his mind (but not ill of anyone), loved his family and friends, was reverent to God, and a gift to all who knew him.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, IA 50309. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Christ Lutheran Church, 6411 SE 5th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315, and will be followed by a luncheon. Burial will take place at Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines.

Contributions may be directed to the Easter Seals of Iowa in loving memory of Michael.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print