Frank Norman Hansen

Frank Norman Hansen, 83, of Spruce, passed away peacefully at home on November 9, 2009 and went to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born May 7, 1926, to the late Harold and Olga (Nielsen) Hansen at Maple Grove Farm in Spruce, Michigan. Frank married the love of his life, Carol Carriveau on January 5, 1963, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Barton City. He was baptized into the Spruce Lutheran Church, where he remained an active member for 83 years, serving on the church board and numerous other capacities. Frank’s love for his heritage was very special. He dearly loved his grandfather, Andrew Nielson who moved to the area from Norway. He purchased the family farm in 1887. The Hansen farm has been in the family for over 120 years. Frank was recently honored to have a centennial sign placed on the land he so loved. He was always proud to say he was a “full-blooded” Norwegian. Frank lived his entire life in Spruce for the exception of 2 ½ years when he served his country during World War II. He was a proud “Navy Man” serving in the South Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Beckham where he watched the Marines raise the American Flag on Mt. Suribachi, at Iwo Jima. Frank’s name is on the National World War II Memorial in Washington DC. Following the war, he came home from the service and finished his schooling, graduating from Alpena High School in 1947. Frank was the rural letter carrier for the Spruce Post Office for 37 years, during which he was inducted into the Million Mile Club for driving “accident free” for over one million miles. He was a member of the Michigan Rural Letter Carriers for over 50 years, the National Rural Letter Carriers, and the Thunder Bay chapter of NARFE. Frank was a life member of VFW Wm. Moore Post #6754. He served as commander, service officer and wherever else he was needed. He played an important part in getting the first VFW Hall built in Spruce. He was also a life member and past commander of the Alpena Power Squadron, which allowed him to teach many Boater Safety courses. As a member of the Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society, Frank enjoyed helping to restore the lighthouse and received a Certificate of Appreciation for services rendered above and beyond the call of volunteering. Frank served his community on the Caledonia Township zoning board for 42 years receiving a certificate for his many years of public service. For nearly 40 years he was a member and president of the Hubbard Lake Sportsman and Improvement Association. His tireless passion of sport fishing produced great walleye and pike fishing in Hubbard and many surrounding lakes. He was also a member of the Ossineke Eagles Club for 13 years, and a licensed residential builder for much of his adult life. Frank was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoying many trips to Canada with his brothers and friends. He was a member of the Hemlock Haven Hunting Club for 65 years, which he helped establish with his brothers in 1945. His love for the outdoors led him to start teaching Hunter Safety classes in 1949. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and very involved with Wm. Moore Rifle Club. He was always willing to share his knowledge with the younger generations and taught hundreds of students the importance of firearm safety. Frank is survived by his wife of 46 years, Carol, his son; Nelson (Vesna) and grandsons Nelson Conner and Tyler, his son; Mark and granddaughter Kelsey, his sister; Norma Gilbertson and her sons; Roland, Gregory, and Curt (Carolyn), his brother; Gordon (Dorothy) Hansen and his sons; James (Laurie) and David, his nephew; Arthur (Wanda) Weinschenk and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers; Andrew, Alfred, and Henry Hansen, sisters; Alice Hansen, Margaret Weinschenk, Signe (Ted) DeMay, brother-in-law; Tom Gilbertson, and his only niece; Andrea Weinschenk. Visitation will be held at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln on Thursday, November 12, from 2 until 9 pm. Visitation will continue at Spruce Lutheran Church on Friday, November 13 at 10:00 am until the Funeral Service at 11:00am. Rev. F. Laraine Sundin will officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, full military honors will be provided by Spruce VFW Post #6754. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Spruce Lutheran Church, or to Hospice of Michigan. The family would like to thank Hospice of Michigan, especially Joanna, Jennifer, & Jennifer- for their help in making Frank’s last days comfortable. The family also wishes to extend its most heartfelt thanks to countless friends, family members, and many of the magnificent Hospice staff and volunteers. Your names are numerous but each of you will be forever held closely in our hearts. Your sincerity, compassion, and thoughtfulness are deeply appreciated. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frank Norman Hansen, please visit our flower store.