Obituary of Dennis Dwight Hansen

The World lost a special man on Sunday, March 12^th, 2023!     In the town of Carroll, Iowa, Dennis D. Hansen was born.  The date was February 25^th, 1948.  As the first born of five to Dallas and Polly Hansen, Den grew up on a farm and worked hard.  His parents moved to Greeley, Colorado in the 60’s. Colorado is where he would fall in love with the outdoors – often packing up and taking off on his motorcycle to go fishing. As his parents began their move to Loveland, he rode his motorcycle, from Greeley, to start his sophomore year at LHS.  It’s there he met Deena Wilder in geometry class – the beginning of a long relationship that has lasted 55 years.  There was a short split, but Deena came crawling back to him (he always loved telling this part).  After graduating from Loveland High School, in 1966, he went to CSU for a short time, but then joined the Marines in January of 1967 – serving four years in California.  Dennis had waited to be shipped to Vietnam, but because of the work he did – that never happened. While serving in the United States Marines Corp, Dennis and Deena were married on December 22^nd, 1967.  Their first son, Mike, was born on January 17^th, 1970.  Dennis now had a fishing buddy.  He would pack up the stroller with animal crackers, milk, and diapers and off they’d go to fish off the pier in Oceanside, California.  Dennis would buy anchovies to fish with, and Mike played with them in the bucket...occasionally catching one!  When Den’s four years ended, the family came back to Loveland.  Dennis started working on commercial buildings, but he soon found his love for residential construction.  He started from the ground up and spent most of his career doing interior trim.  He would work long days, putting in 70 plus hours a week.  This was his love!  He would try to please every homeowner with their requests.  On April 23^rd, 1975, their second son, Matt, was born.  Now he had two buddies to share the outdoors with.  When there was time between jobs, he would pack up and take the boys fishing or hunting.  He loved the outdoors and has passed this on to his sons.  Den would also share his favorite places with others so they could experience the fun of hunting and fishing.  Never a selfish bone in his body!  In the 80’s, he, Ray Padgett, and Terry Kness would start the Big Thompson Bowhunters Association (BTBA) by Lon Hagler Reservoir.  The club later shortened it to just the Big Thompson Bowhunters (BTB).  In 2012, the range was renamed the Dennis Hansen Archery Range.  Dennis was the Range Director and has spent countless hours creating different shooting targets and stands.  He loved kids and made a special area for them at the range.  Dennis was a long-time Hunter’s Ed instructor and has taught archery to many, many kids for several organizations.  This made him happy.  The range was his second home.  If you couldn’t find him at his house, this is where he would be. 

Dennis was preceded in death by his dad and mother, Dallas and Polly Hansen, his only sister, Gloria Krebs, his brother-in-law, Robert Krebs, his father-in-law, F.A. Wilder, sister-in-law, Sandra Dickinson, nephew, Boyd Powell, and his grandson-in-law, Sgt. Justin Swajanen, USMC. 

Dennis leaves behind his wife, Deena (Wilder) Hansen, his oldest son, Mike and wife Pam, their children, Samantha Rosas (Brandon), Patty Britton, Katie Swanjanen, and Robert Britton. His youngest son, Matt and wife Jenean, their children, Brooke, Gage, and Ryli. 

He will be missed by his 14 great-grandchildren.  He loved to take them fishing and would make them their own targets.   

His brother, Darwin and wife Mel, their four children and families, brother, Ron and wife Vicky, their two sons and families, and lil’ bro, Richard and wife Kimberly, and their five children and one grandson. 

You will be missed! 

HAPPY TRAILS