Bob Hansen, age 78, proud father of five children and four grandchildren of Papillion NE (formerly Atlantic IA) died at Bellevue Medical Center on November 19, 2024.
He was born in Harlan on October 22, 1946, to Robert and Helen (Swenson) Hansen growing up on the family farm west of Exira, IA. Known to his friends as Reggie, Bob graduated in 1965 from Elk Horn-Kimballton High School before going to work as a lineman for Northwestern Bell. He held several jobs in his 31 years with the phone company. After his retirement from US West in 1996, he went to work at Walnut Communications followed by several summers mowing for Atlantic Parks and Recreation.
Bob and Kathi Neumann were married in Des Moines on December 28, 1979. Together they had three children — Heidi, Kyle, and Hilary. They lived on Locust Street in Atlantic for almost 45 years before their move to Papillon, NE in July.
Coffee at Family Table was part of Bob’s daily routine and he was fond of the staff that poured him a daily cup or two. He spent countless hours in his garden, but his true passion was woodworking. His projects, too numerous to mention, were marvelous.
Bob took great pride in being a father and grandfather, especially coaching Little League teams, watching countless innings of high school and college baseball, and most recently starting over as Quinn’s loyal baseball, football, and basketball fan. Bob was a devoted and loving husband to Kathi and father to Rob, Chris, Heidi, Kyle, and Hilary, all of whom will miss him and the life lessons he quietly imparted to them. One favorite bit of his advice on the topic of curfew was “just be home before breakfast.”
He is survived by his wife Kathi, his five children: Rob (Becky) Hansen of Atlantic, IA, Chris Hansen of Norwalk, IA, Heidi Hansen (Matt Carper) of Lincoln, NE, Kyle (Valerie) Hansen of Elkhorn, NE, and Hilary Hansen of Omaha, NE. Four grandchildren: Karina Hansen of West Palm Beach, FL, Reese Hansen of West Palm Beach, FL, Quinn Hansen of Elkhorn, NE, and Charlotte Carper of Lincoln, NE; his brother Larry (Cathy) Hansen of Marshalltown, IA; sisters Delane (Mark) Kempf of Blue Springs, MO, Marlys Reeves of Benton Harbor, MI; brothers-in-laws Dirk (Maureen) Neumann of Danville, CA, Tim Neumann (Patty) Neumann of Johnston, IA; numerous nieces and nephews and dear cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen Hansen, parents-in-law Don and Charlotte Neumann, and nephew Ryan Hansen.
Visitation with the family to celebrate Bob will be held from 2 pm till 4 pm on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA. A private family burial will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery in Elk Horn, IA.
Memorials can be made to either the Atlantic Park & Rec Department or to the Danish Museum in Elk Horn, IA and can be left or mailed to the funeral home at PO Box 523 – Atlantic, IA. The Schmidt Family Funeral Home is caring for Bob and his family. Condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfh.com
