Basil Eugene Hansen

Basil Eugene Hansen, 82, of Bismarck, ND, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, March 1, 2014, after a head injury four months prior. He had recently become a resident and roommate of his wife at St. Vincent's Sanford Care Center in Bismarck, ND. A private family funeral was held at St Vincent's Care Center with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Cremation has taken place and a graveside service and memorial will be held in the spring at Sunnyslope Cemetery in Mott. Basil was born February 19, 1932, to Albert and Evelyn Rose Hansen on a farm near Bentley, ND. He attended country school for a short time, then Mott Public School graduating in 1950. He loved playing football and was proud of his fellow players and their undefeated season. He pursued business classes at colleges in both Wahpeton and Fargo. Basil enlisted in the army and served in the Korean Conflict in 1952-53. He was united in marriage to Geraldine Johnson on January 22, 1956. They lived in Bismarck where Basil worked for the railroad; and then in Moorhead, MN, where Basil was a product rep and grocery salesman working for his uncle, Basil Rose at BE Rose Brokerage. He introduced to the grocers of ND Rice-A-Roni, Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice and Tabby cat food. The opportunity to move his family to Mott came when Basil and Gerry purchased Borth's Clothing, renaming it Hansen's Clothing. Basil enjoyed owning numerous horses at several locations around the outskirts of Mott. Throughout his life, he had a love of cars, horses, old westerns and that cowboy era. In 1971, Basil expanded his business to Dickinson with Hansen's Mens Wear on Sims Street. In 1978, he opened Hansen's Mens Wear in Bismarck, and later also Lady Hansen. Basil and Gerry moved to Bismarck in 1984, having closed the Mott location in 1980 and the Dickinson location in 1982. Currently their son, Barry and wife, Cheryl are the owners of Hansen's Mens Wear on East Interstate Ave in Bismarck, ND. Basil enjoyed his daily time helping out Barry at the store. He also kept himself busy stocking shelves in the early morning hours at Menards. When Basil and Gerry sold their home in Bismarck to downsize and start apartment life, Basil helped with management and maintenance of those. Basil will be remembered for his many generous acts of kindness and his quiet language of love. He was a hard worker and a gentle man with a big heart. Basil is survived by his wife, Geraldine, Bismarck, ND; his two sons, Barry Cheryl Hansen of Bismarck, ND, and David MaryJo Hansen of Fargo, ND; one daughter, Paula Larry Anderson of Regent, ND; eleven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters; Lila John Molbert of Hettinger, ND, and Rene Gilbert Hersrud of Coeur d'Alene, ID. Basil was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Hansen 1941 and Evelyn Gilbert 1992.

Basil Eugene Hansen

February 19, 1932 - March 1, 2014