Vern William Hansen, 74, of Kimberly passed away after a long illness, peacefully on May 24, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh.
Vern was born the son of Irving and Anna (Ottow) Hansen on September 2, 1945.
He grew up in Lena, WI and attended school there until his family moved to Gillett in his senior year. He was a 1963 graduate of Gillett High School. Vern then went on to graduate from U.W. Oshkosh, WI. He taught high school in Slinger as an English and Psychology teacher and also became a wrestling coach and football coach.
Vern will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor. He enjoyed spending time with his family. Vern was an avid reader and had read hundreds, if not thousands, of books in his lifetime. He was a Packer fan and was happy he was able to attend the Ice Bowl in 1967. Vern was a huge fan of high school wrestling. He started his love of wresting when he joined the team at Lena High School. Before his senior year, the family moved to Gillett. Vern found out that Gillett didn’t have a wrestling team. He loved the sport so much that he contacted the WIAA to ask them if he could be allowed to enter the regionals his senior year as a one man team representing Gillett High School. The WIAA granted his request and Vern became the first Gillett athlete to wrestle in WIAA competition. Vern went on to inspire all of his younger brothers, most of his nephews and his son to become wrestlers at Gillett High School after the school adopted the sport a few years later.
Vern is survived by his 2 children: Dallas (Michelle) Hansen, of Gillett, and Sage Hansen of Florida; 4 grandchildren: Sylvia, Kasey, Lily, and Orion; his 9 siblings: Allen Hansen of Tasmania, Australia, Carol (Kenneth) Lindow of Horicon, Kurt (Angeline) Hansen of Gillett, Gary (Diane) Hansen of Gillett, Irving Jr. (Carol) Hansen of Green Bay, Gail (Al) Lumby of Horicon, Kevin ( Cathy) Hansen of De Pere, Brian Hansen of Gillett, Dean (Barb) Hansen of Shawano, 2 Aunts: Erna Mainhardt of Manitowoc, Alice Nisk of Clearwater Florida and numerous nieces, nephews & cousins.
Vern was preceded in death by his parents: Irving and Anna (Ottow) Hansen of Gillett, niece Lauren Hansen of Tasmania, Australia, and Great nephew: Justin of Horicon.
Due to the current pandemic, a private family graveside service was held at Immanuel Lutheran cemetery in Gillett, WI. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
