Rueben Hansen

October 24, 1931 - October 24, 2013

Rueben H. Hansen 82 of Amasa passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls. He was born on February 15, 1931 in Paynesville Michigan, son of the late Arnold and Lempi (Manty) Hansen. He attended school in Covington and L'Anse. He worked on the Hutala farm with the Midget Gang and then drove for Amasa Lumber Company in 1949-50 hauling logs. He enlisted in the United States Air Force stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida as an Aircraft Reciprocating Engine Mechanic in December 1951 and was Honorably discharged in December of 1955. Rueben was employed by Olson Motors of Marquette as a mechanic, then for Leonard West in Iron Mountain hauling beer from St. Louis to Milwaukee in a 1958 Diamond T. He moved to Amasa in 1960 where he then drove Miss Mary Ann, a bright red Oshkosh truck for Luke Brothers until 1970-71. He worked as a Truck Driver and Heavy Equipment Operator for Proksch and Caspian Construction for many years retiring in 1990. Rueben wasn't ready for retirement so he worked for Ray Hansen, his nephew who was more like a son, first as a trucker driving Jezebel on the grade then later retiring to mechanic in the shop in L'Anse until 2006. He married Nancy Foucault in 1980 and she preceded him in death in October of 2006. He was a lifelong resident of the U.P. He loved working in the woods, running heavy equipment and logging. He enjoyed carpentry and built two cabins in the Deer Lake area throughout the years. He was an avid Nascar fan, enjoyed fishing, casino trips and playing cards, be it cribbage or smear. He and his smear partner, Sara, seemed to be unbeatable at smear tounaments held during family gatherings. He was preceded in death by a son, Rueben Michael Hansen, and a brother Ray Hansen. Rueben is survived by his daughter, Debra Wirtanen (Ken Thoreson) of Amasa, and his son, Jeffrey Hansen of Amasa; Step children Donna (Bob) Vansickle, Paul (Carol) Foucault, John and Roy Foucault, all of Crystal Falls, grandchildren Robert (Kim) Gill, Ian (Sara) Gill, Courtney (Spencer) Doty, Jessica Havens, April Hansen, and Elizabeth Hansen; 13 great grandchildren; a brother, John (Lea) Hansen. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from 10:00 am to 12 noon at the Nash Funeral Home in Crystal Falls. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon at the funeral home. Rev. Micheal Laakko will officiate. Burial will be in the Hematite Township Cemetery in Amasa. The Eastside Veterans Council will accord Full Military Honors at the grave. The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the funeral arrangements.