Leon Elwood Hansen, 91, of Vaughn, passed away peacefully at a local care facility in Great Falls, on Oct. 6, 2015.

A funeral service is planned for Monday, Oct. 12, 2015 at 11:00 AM, at the Sun River Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 845 US-89 in Sun River. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM in the Relief Society Room. Burial with military honors will immediately follow the funeral service at Manchester Cemetery.

Elwood was born on Aug. 21, 1924 in Cokeville, WY to Hans Andrew “Andy” and Ida (Matthews) Hansen. He spent his childhood in Montana growing up in Vaughn. Elwood attended grade school in Vaughn and high school in Simms. He was a longtime resident of the area, living in his own home until very recently, when he moved in with his daughter Lola.

On Dec. 16, 1946 he married the love of his life, Mary Gerner, in Great Falls. They brought into this world, a lasting legacy of love and family, their children- Lola, Connie, Bill, and Ken. The family made their home in the Vaughn area. Elwood and Mary shared 41 years together; he was by her side every moment, attentively and lovingly caring for her before her passing in 1988.

He began working as a young teen and carried an industrious spirit throughout his life. Elwood worked for a dairy in Fairfield and then as a truck driver for Mercury Sand and Gravel Company. In 1945 he entered into service for our country with the Navy. Elwood proudly served on the USS Dane and earned the Asiatic Pacific American Area Victory Medal. Upon his return to civilian life, he began a career in welding with the Anaconda Co., and was with them for 30 years, until they closed the smelter. He kept working with the Boilermakers, travelling around Southeastern Montana on various union jobs. Throughout his career, Elwood also maintained a farm.

In his free time Elwood was a master at restoring antique autos, beginning with a 1927 Model T Coupe. His enthusiasm for antique cars was also carried over in his membership in the Skunk Wagon Car Club. Elwood enjoyed the great outdoors Montana has to offer- spending many days fishing, nights under the Big Sky camping and walking the lands hunting for big game. He was the oldest member of the American Legion Post 0130 with 66 years of membership. When Elwood would go out on the town, he could often be found dancing the night away with the ladies! Elwood was an excellent bowler and bowled for many years on a team from the Smelter.

He is survived by his loving family; his children, Lola (Rod) Barnard of Sun River, MT; Connie (Rick) Silva of Great Falls, MT; Bill (Cindi) Hansen of Littleton, CO; and Ken (Cindy) Hansen of Belgrade, MT; 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; his sister, Virginia Fontanilla of Cannon Beach, OR; numerous nieces and nephews; and his special friend, Marcie Kuhne.

Elwood was preceded in death by his parents, Hans Andrew “Andy” and Ida; sisters, Francis, Evelyn and Lucille; brother Alvin and his beloved wife Mary.

In lieu of flowers Elwood’s family suggests memorials to: Alzheimer’s Association of Montana 3010 11th Ave N., Billings, MT 59101; American Heart Association 600 Central Ave #219, Great Falls, MT 59401; American Diabetes Association P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312; Sun River Valley Historical Society 521 Roosevelt Dr., Sun Prairie, MT 59404; Peace Hospice of Montana 1101 26th St S., Great Falls, MT 59405.

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