Warren E. Hansen Sr., 101, died April 13, 2018, at Linden Ridge Assisted living Center, Mukwonago. He was born on July 11, 1916, to Lendar and Erma (Greeley) Hansen in Caldwell.
He worked on the family farm, taking over major responsibilities upon the death of his father when he was 14. His early education was achieved at the one-room Caldwell Elementary School and he graduated high school from the Racine County Agriculture School at Rochester, where he excelled in many sports.
Warren and his Caldwell first-grade classmates met once a year until 2012; he was the sole survivor of that class with all having reached ages older than 90. He attended the ag school reunions and activities through his 100th birthday.
Warren married LaVerne Kurth in 1939 working on the family farm until 1960. He was town chairman of Waterford, on the Racine County Board and Waterford High School Board over many years.
Warren worked for Golden Gurnsey Dairy Co. for a number of years before starting with Citizens Bank of Mukwonago, where he was on the board of directors, rising to the presidency in 1971. The bank opened several branches in nearby communities during his tenure. He retired from the bank in 1982 and remained as chairman of the board of directors until 2007.
In 1970 he married Della Rhoda who preceded him in death in 2010.
“Shorty I and II” were beloved pugs and accompanied them on their weekend trips to their cabin retreat in Minocqua.
Warren was very active with the Mukwonago Kiwanis club through his 90s where he was instrumental with the Maxwell Street Days in the park and many philanthropic endeavors. He and Della donated acreage currently used by the Kiwanis next to the park and also donated the Caldwell Hall to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle where he was a board member.
He became a familiar face at the Blue Bay Family Restaurant in Mukwonago, where he enjoyed meeting friends and hosting parties. He was fortunate to remain in his home until spring of 2017.
He is survived by daughter, Donna (Wayne) Martin of Waterloo; son, Warren, Jr. (Eunice) of Delavan; grandchildren: Todd (Jacqui) Martin, Jill (Rev. Kevin) Wattles, Timothy Hansen, Andrew Hansen, Anne (Jeremiah) Walsh; and seven great-grandchildren.
The celebration of his life will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 at the Schmidt Bartelt Funeral Home, 930 Main St., Mukwonago. Visitation will be from 10:30 until 2:45 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to discretionary charities in honor of his life.
