Steven Hansen's Obituary
“Irreplaceable” is the word most people used to describe Steven Hansen, a Kihei, HI bright light of a guy, who passed suddenly and too soon at age 72 on August 13, 2024. More descriptive words: Humorous, talented, supportive, inclusive, loving, gentle, a bit snarky and so smart - driven by an endless and all-encompassing curiosity. He seemed to be everything, everywhere, all at once. He somehow made all people feel like they were they were his special favorite person. His true talent was mending hearts and we who are left are now broken hearted at losing him.
This man did a lot. Sit down for a good story.
Early days:
Steve was the third child, born on Feb. 1, 1952, in Bemidji, MN., to Irene Ovidia Hansen, nee Wold (1914-1978) and “Fritz” Francis Marvin Hansen (1905-1974) who already had two girls - Teri (10) and Karen (13). He was raised at 521 5th Street and lived a 50s life of bike rides in the North Woods, swimming and boating in lakes and the Mississippi River, sneaking friends into the local drive-in movie in the trunk of his white ’53 Chevy Impala, and studying among the men awaiting haircuts in his father’s barber shop. Each year he created a Halloween scary house in his basement, drawing tattoos on friends’ legs with washable ink. He golfed, was a downhill ski racer and partied hard, driving into many snowbanks. His dad would tell Steve to “quit hanging out with those O’Malley girls and their dolls. Go play football.” He never played football. However, he was a card-carrying member of the Beaver Pond Bar’s Foosball Club.
“Stevie” or Fritz” as he was called as a boy, grew up with the O’Malley girls, Liz and Mary Bon, who lived across the alley. He was Bemidji’s best dancer, wore the best costumes, and was beloved by both women and men. He took three girls as dates to the prom. He lived on a commune raising goats and worked at Gill’s Clothing Store for Men as a salesman and window designer.
After graduating from Bemidji High School in 1970, he attended Bemidji State College, focusing on art. His plan to transfer was derailed when he decided to stay home to care for his mother, who died of breast cancer in 1978. Steve taught art at the University of Minnesota in Duluth, while taking a degree in history and philosophy. He was well read, loved poetry, Scandinavian murder mysteries, and movies. He said 2 hours in the dark was always a good idea.
California & 1980's
Steve lived in the Castro in San Francisco when he met his buddy, mate and husband Karl Hensel in 1994. They shared recovery work, arts and travel at the same time. Steve had worked at Senior Residential Care facilities after learning the challenges caring for his mother. Importantly, he had arranged fishing trips on pontoon boats for seniors, helping to break an outdated model of limited Elder Care. He did graduate studies at Stanford University for Senior Residential Care/Advocacy, with a special interest in Philippine culture. He saw many friends suffer from the AIDS crisis and raised funds by completing multiple bike AIDSRides from SF to LA.
Hawaii Life
Steve assisted Karl in his Event Décor company - they produced events in San Francisco and then Hawaii. They moved to Maui in 2003, after 10 years developing the Decor business for Incentive Travel. Favorite projects included 10 years creating the Grand Wailea Hotel Christmas display, the SF Black & White Ball and many Hawaii theme events.
They also did their own travel: from Turkey to Thailand, Jackson Hole to Japan, France, Italy and Greece, Mexico to Morocco. Recently they celebrated 30 years together and 20 years of marriage. They were married in Amherst MA when gay marriage was first legalized in that state, federally recognized in 2014.
Steve saw life as an ever-changing palette of creative possibilities. His self-appointed work was to decorate homes, gardens and parties, always with great style and design sense. He consulted at a silk factory in rural Thailand, worked as an interior designer in Paris, assisted with exclusive travel planning in Sewa, Egypt, and most recently in the Bahamas.
He retired in 2020 after a decade as General Manager of Roselani Place, a Residential Maui Senior Care Facility. He began work with the elderly as a volunteer at the local senior center when he was a teen. He truly loved his staff and clients. He had decades of previous experience in working with aging residents – at the Sequoias CCRC and University Mound Ladies Home, both in San Francisco.
After retiring he began making art again - kiln fused glass platters, bowls and portraits of female heroines like Queen Liliuokalani. He was learning glass casting on Maui and had recently traveled for a class in Berlin.
Survivors
Steve is survived by his husband, Karl Hensel. He is also survived by his older sister Teri Fossand of Bemidji, MN, nephews Lance Fossand, his wife Karla and their children Derrick and Ellen, nephew Chad Fossand of Aurora, CO and Cousin Colleen Lubken. Also oldest sister Karen Boyer's 4 children, Brent, Michelle, Mary Lynne and Jenny Rebecca. Plus, his loving kitty Foxy Sultan!
He is also survived by Karl’s family, mother Joann, sister Peg Hensel Saunders, husband Larry, their daughter Laura and family. Brother Jim, his wife Connie, children Brianna and Sabrina and their families.
He leaves a host of dear friends: A partial list includes the O'Malley's - Mary Bon, Lizann, Sarah and Patrick, Leah Finch, Al B Park, Clare Cooley, Danny Robb, Tracy Posner, Jule Wind, Anita Dekker and Sierra Jansen, Sal Herrick, Mark Higgins, Greg Bye - there is no way to complete this list... Countless associates, residents, buddies and AA sponsees he met and influenced in his 37+ years of sobriety, a prime commitment in life.
The following preceded Steve in death: both parents, Irene and Fritz Hansen, and his oldest Sister Karen Boyer.
A Celebration of Life is pending, to be held at a future date. There are no immediate plans for a memorial service. Details will be announced here on the Nakamura Mortuary website, Facebook and elsewhere.
What’s your fondest memory of Steven?
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Share a story where Steven's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Steven you’ll never forget.
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