Harold L. Hansen

LIFESTORY:

Harold Hansen was the rarest of men, a man with the vision to see his opportunities, and the determination and courage to seize them. He was a successful businessman, and a loving husband and father, as well. Harold was important to his community, but more importantly, beloved by all who knew him.

Harold's remarkable story began on a cold winter Wednesday in 1909, as the Thanksgiving holiday approached on his family's farm in Amber Township, Michigan, in beautiful Mason County. Those were exciting times in this country, which was undergoing a transformation, adding inspiration and innovation to its perspiration, from the airplane to the automobile. There was much to celebrate for many in 1909, especially for Charles and Mary (Nelson) Hansen, who were thrilled with the birth of their first child on November 17, 1909, a son they named Harold.

Harold would be joined by younger brother Russell and sister Elna on the family's farm, located on Hansen Road, which was named for his family. Harold attended Jones School, before graduating from Scottville High School with the class of 1929. As the oldest, Harold always had plenty to do around the family farm, and would return from school and go straight to work.

His family sold butter, eggs, and sometimes milk from the farm to the local residents. One of his regular customers told Harold if he ever sold milk on a regular basis, he'd be the first customer. A light bulb went off in Harold's head, and in 1935, he started his own milk bottling plant and dairy delivery service, called Hansen's Evergreen Dairy.

His first day in business, he sold two quarts, but received orders for more. Each day he would receive more orders, and before long had to begin buying milk from other dairy farmers to meet his customers' demand. It wasn't long before the business had grown into a 16-truck delivery fleet, with 23 employees!

The year 1935 brought more than a business boom for Harold, as his personal life began to bloom, as well. He had met a beautiful young schoolteacher named G. Vivian Pittard, who taught at Jones School. The two hit it off, and were married on June 16, 1935, the beginning of many wonderful years together. After they were married, Vivian continued teaching, in addition to serving as treasurer for the dairy business.

The new husband and wife would soon become parents, and were blessed with two sons in the coming years, Gary and Ronald. The family lived in a home Harold built across the street from his parents' farm, made with lumber from the farm.

As his family grew, so did Harold's business, and he began branching out to include ice cream and other dairy products. His trademark label was Golden Guernsey, which provided milk to the local schools in the surrounding three counties, and also specialized in house-to-house delivery. Always willing to fill a need, Harold's company even mixed up fruit punch in the five-gallon milk jugs to deliver to weddings on the weekends! The key to his sucess was recognizing his opportunities, and having the drive to capitalize on them. In 1968, Harold sold the business he built from the ground up, to Ideal Dairy of Traverse City, and began his many new ventures.

Harold served his community in many capacities over the years. He served on the Jones School Board and the Scottville School Board, as Amber Township Supervisor, and on the Mason County Supervisors Board. He served as a Mason County Commissioner in the 14th District, on the Selective Service Board, the Scottville State Savings Bank Board (now West Shore Bank), the Western Michigan Electric Cooperative Board, and the FiveCAP Board. Harold was also a member of the Scottville Rotary Club, of the Ludington Elks Club, and was awarded Scottville's Businessman Emeritus in 1991!

Not one to slow down much, Harold also became a Realtor for Klemm-Elliott Real Estate, Inc., and had a Broker's license for many years.

In his spare time, Harold also found time for his passions, his hobbies, and his family, particularly his beloved Vivian. He was an avid boating enthusiast, and had a 30-foot Owens boat he would take on Lake Michigan. He along with his best friend Bob Pinkerton and a few others founded the Ludington Yacht Club. Harold and Vivian spent many wonderful times with Bob and Rosa Pinkerton, and they often traveled together in their motor homes. The close-knit couples headed to Florida every winter, and traveled throughout the country, as well. Harold and Vivian also visited Mexico City with the Good Sam Travel Club. They were always happy to hit the road, and were members of the Ludington-Scottville-Custer Trailer Club. When CB radio's entered the scene, Harold quickly found himself part of a faithful group of CB radio enthusiats that kept in contact early every morning, checking in and keeping track of each other.

In 1993, Vivian preceded him in death, affecting him deeply. He decided to fully retire, and hung up his Realtor's license. He remained very independent, and found a wonderful companion in Ileen Thiel. He and Ileen went to dinner together often, as well as Harold's many community functions, and enjoyed a close relationship.

In 2004, as his health began to fail, Harold moved from the road he lived on his entire life, into Sherman Oaks. Soon after he moved once more into Ludington Woods Living Center, where sadly, Harold died Sunday morning, January 7, 2007, at the age of 97.

Harold was a remarkable man, who lived a remarkable life. He was a man of great vision, with an even greater determination to succeed. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and an important figure in his community. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife Vivian, and his brother Russell. Harold will be greatly missed by his sons Gary L. (Shirley) Hansen of Grand Rapids, and Ronald R. (Carol) Hansen of Marietta, Georgia, his grandchildren Julia (Jeff) Abrams of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Jeff (Karen) Hansen of Grand Rapids, Alicia Hansen of New York, and Christopher Hansen of Marietta, GA, his great-granddaughter Lauren Hansen of Grand Rapids, his sister Elna Hansen of Ludington, his sisters-in-law Ruth Hansen of Traverse City, Lois Dumas of Scottville, and Catherine Dahringer of Ludington, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held for Harold at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 13 at the Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville with Rev. Joe Hilyard, Hospice Chaplain officiating. Burial will take place at Brookside Cemetery in Scottville. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Friday evening from 7-9 PM, and on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until time of services at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Mason County Central Educational Foundation, or to Hospice of Michigan ~ Mason County. Please visit Harold's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to read his complete Life Story, sign the guestbook, or to leave a memory of Harold for his family. Funeral arrangements are being cared for by the Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville.