Duane Hansen

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Duane Hansen, a beloved member of the Cheyenne, Wyoming community. Duane peacefully departed this world on October 30, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society Nursing home in Loveland, Colorado.

Duane was born on May 2, 1945 in Laramie, Wyoming to parents Willard and Melva Hansen. As the youngest of five boys, including Kenneth and Donald, Duane brought joy and laughter to his family from the very beginning. His formative years were spent in Laramie until graduating from Laramie High School in 1964. In his earlier years he loved to snowmobile, water ski, and camping in and around Wonderful Wyoming.

Driven by a passion for electronics, Duane pursued training in Denver at the National Electronics Institute before securing his first job with Mountain Bell in Laramie. He moved to Cheyenne in 1979 to work for Union Pacific Railroad in their Telecommunications Department. Duane dedicated many years of diligent service to Union Pacific Railroad before eventually retiring.

Unwavering faith and love for God played an integral role throughout Duane's life. He was a member of St Mary's Catholic Church, and a lifelong devout Catholic who found solace and guidance in his beliefs. He traveled to sites sacred to the Church across North American and Europe but the most memorable places he visited were Lourdes and the Vatican. Additionally, Duane immersed himself in the world of HAM radio operations as a hobbyist. His skill and dedication as a HAM radio operator earned him recognition and respect within the community (call sign: WA7KYM). In addition to working for the railroad, he enjoyed collecting model trains in both HO and G scales. He loved bowling, especially when he took his kids and grandkids, and showed them that he could still beat them.  He loved photography, and he got a kick out of taking pictures of unsuspecting family members, as well as wildlife and those beautiful Wyoming sunsets.   Duane was also a proud University of Wyoming athletics fan having attended countless events from childhood through his later life.  Go Pokes!

Above all else, Duane cherished his role as a loving father and grandfather. He leaves behind a legacy of love and memories that will forever be treasured by his surviving family members. Duane was predeceased by his parents and brothers Kenneth and Donald. He is survived by his son, Shane Lee (Connie) Hansen of Florence, AZ; daughter, Shaundra Kay (Roy) Lantzy of Greeley, CO; and son, Shaunen John (Christina) Hansen of Falls Church, VA. He was a doting grandfather to Timothy (Kerrey), Taylor, Samantha (Travis), Alexa, Riley, Allana, Kaylynn, and Lillian and great-grandfather to Jackson, Leah, and Weston, as well as several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in his memory to Catholic Charities USA at CatholicCharitiesUSA.org. Let us honor Duane's spirit by coming together to support a cause that reflects his values and compassion.

We are certain that Duane is now in heaven, where his spirit has found eternal rest and grace in the presence of God.  

2 Timothy 4: 7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all those who have longed for his appearing.

Funeral will be held on November 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cheyenne, WY.  Burial to follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Laramie, WY.

To view the livestream of the service, please visit https://stmarycathedral.com/livestream.