Melvin Earl Hansen, 76
Melvin Earl Hansen, 76, passed away on Friday, November 10, 2017, at Life Care in Post Falls, Idaho with his loving family close by.
Mel was born on April 21, 1941, in Sandpoint, Idaho, to Henry Melvin and Ella Marie Hansen. He attended schools in Sandpoint, and later joined the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Ord, CA, and received basic training at Fort Benning, GA as a Communications Specialist. His overseas tour of duty was in Korea.
He married Janice Cornella on January 26, 1963 in Sandpoint. He worked at Tenex, Inc. and Pack River Lumber Company before living in LaPuente, California, with his wife and four daughters for four years. That was not where he wanted to raise his daughters, and the family moved back. He was a member of the Eagles Aeries for many years, was a past conductor, and he enjoyed bowling on their Friday night mixed league.
He worked in the construction business, was a foreman at Bird Ranch, and later was assistant manager at B.J. Carney Pole Manufacturing. He purchased and operated his own sawmill, custom cutting lumber for various customers and friends, and he loved woodworking and building with the lumber he cut. He was an avid rock hound and enjoyed faceting stones and making jewelry with the stones he found. Until he was unable to do so, he loved hunting, fishing, and camping. Mel was a very hard worker, and instilled a very strong work ethic in his daughters.
He is survived by his wife, Jan Hansen of Sandpoint; three daughters, Monica (John) Lorenz of Paradise, California, Denise (Dennis) Nygard of Eagle, Idaho, and Wendy (Terry) Franck of Ponderay, Idaho; three sisters, Ella Mae Coop, Emma Lou Craig, and Linda (Bob) LaFore; four grandchildren, Savannah (Shaun) Mort, Caitlyn Robbins, Stuart Sater, and Jesse Goodwin; four great-grandchildren, Lacelyn, Peyten, Remmington, and Solomon Mort; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and by son-in-law, Jeff Sater.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Elise Dawn Hansen; sisters, Marlene Taylor and Beverly Fickle; and brothers, Stephen and Richard Hansen.
Special appreciation goes out to Brian Krone and Regina Hammack, who visited so often, as well as Dr. Kelterborn and Kayla from Kaniksu Health for their care; to AFS Home Health Care nurse, Amanda, and therapists Colin and Will for their care. We would also like to thank the wonderful angels at Life Care in Post Falls for their amazing, loving care during his week-long stay.
Private services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to either the VFW in Sandpoint, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Mel’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.